Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Awkward moment Prince Andrew’s standing with his family was laid bare – months before he was stripped of titles and home
US President Donald Trump said he feels “badly” for the royal family amid the continuing fallout over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
It comes as reports claim that Andrew “refused to sign off” on royal statements that supported the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuse.
A source close to the King and Queen said the former prince would veto references to abuse victims in all statements since his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, blocking the Palace from acknowledging them, according to The Times.
But in the King’s latest statement, in which he stripped Andrew of his royal titles, he made clear his support for survivors in the line: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
When questioned about the King’s decision to remove Andrew’s prince title, the US president said: “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the (royal) family.”
On Thursday, theKing took the dramatic decision to officially remove Andrew’s Prince and Duke of York titles and HRH style, following pressure over his ties with Epstein.
How much will Andrew receive after leaving Royal Lodge?
Andrew is set to receive a six-figure payment, which will be privately funded by the King, once he vacates Royal Lodge.
He will also be given an ongoing annual stipend, which will be worth several times the value of his £20,000-a-year Navy pension, according to The Guardian.
The newspaper claims that “relocation settlement” is intended to cover his move from Windsor to Sandringham, and the regular payments are designed to prevent him from “overspending in his new life as a commoner”.
Why Gen Z isn’t buying Andrew’s royal exile – and it could mean a way back for Harry
King Charles’s move to strip Prince Andrew of his titles was meant to restore faith in the monarchy, but for younger generations, steeped in the Epstein era, the gesture feels too little, too late and far from authentic, writes Chloe Combi.
So, where does the royal family go from here?
Recap: Prince Andrew could lose out on most of his compensation for leaving Royal Lodge
But sources have told The Telegraph his now-former home is in dire need of repairs and maintenance – and that Andrew may end up out of pocket if costs are deducted from his package.
How Camilla influenced the Kings’s decision to strip Andrew of his titles
Queen Camilla is said to have played a part in King Charles’s decision to strip Andrew of his titles, expressing fears that his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein could impact her work with sex abuse victims.
Camilla was said to be appalled by Andrew’s relationship with Epstein and felt the continuous scandal was affecting her ability to carry out public duties, according to The Telegraph.
In a statement to mark the UN Day for the elimination of violence against women in 2020, Camilla said: “Each one of us has a part to play, to do everything in our power to raise awareness, to ‘reach in’ to others, and to support, and be inspired by, those very brave survivors.”
Where will Andrew live on Sandringham Estate?
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is set to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge and take up a property on the 8,000-hectare Sandringham Estate.
His move will be funded privately by King Charles and take place “as soon as practicable”
York Cottage
York Cottage, which has previously been used as holiday accommodation or housing for estate employees, is a possible contender for Andrew’s new home.
The property was earmarked for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before their departure from royal life.
Park House
Andrew’s move to Sandringham may place him in Park House, where the late Princess Diana was born.
Park House was leased to the charity Leonard Cheshire by the late Queen in 1987, which ran it as a hotel for disabled people.
Gardens House
He could also move to Gardens House, the residence that once housed the estate’s head gardener.
It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and is being used as a holiday let, according to Sandringham’s website.
Andrew arranged a private tour of Buckingham Palace for businessmen from cryptocurrency mining firm
The BBC has revealed Andrew arranged a private tour of Buckingham Palace for businessmen from cryptocurrency mining firm, Pegasus Group Holdings, which agreed to pay his ex-wife up to £1.4m.
The company employed Sarah Ferguson as a “brand ambassador” for a crypto-mining scheme – which lost investors millions when it failed.
She was reportedly paid more than £200,000 for her work and a leaked contract suggests she was in line for an additional bonus worth £1.2m.
US lawmakers call for Andrew to reveal what he knew about Epstein
Lawmakers in the US have now ramped up their calls for Andrew to hand over information on Epstein’s crimes to a House Oversight Committee, with key figures saying he may even be able to speak to a congressional committee remotely via video link.
Nicole Wootton-Cane and Rebecca Whittaker report:
