With Andrew being stripped of his titles and evicted from the Royal Lodge, a former BBC royal correspondent believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be relieved in the turning of attention
When it comes to royal scandals, there are usually a few names that first come to mind. And while since 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have proven to be some of the most unpopular royals in recent memory, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is almost certainly the least popular.
Andrew has been plagued with controversies for years over his connection with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and the claims from Virginia Giuffre that she was trafficked to Andrew when she was just 17, which she reiterated in her recently released posthumous memoir. Andrew has strenuously denied these claims, and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
READ MORE: Sarah Ferguson faces fresh pressure to act on Epstein scandal as daughters dragged inREAD MORE: Andrew’s chaotic downfall behind closed doors from palace ‘civil war’ to Fergie ultimatum
These years of allegations, coupled with public outcry, culminated in a shock statement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday night, announcing that Andrew has been stripped of all his titles and honours – including his title as Prince – and would be evicted from the Royal Lodge.
Andrew has lived in the 30-room mansion on the Windsor Estate since 2003, sharing the enormous property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who will now be forced to find her own private accommodation without the financial help of the Firm.
It was originally rumoured that Andrew may have been moving into the Sussexes old home of Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, but it has now been revealed that he will reside in a private residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, to be funded by his brother King Charles.
According to Jennie Bond, it’s likely that Harry and Meghan would have been following Andrew’s public downfall from their life in California, and would be relieved that they are not the only royals facing strife.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie told the Mirror : “I imagine Harry and Meghan will feel some relief that the heat is off them for the time being.
“I don’t suppose the question of who does or doesn’t live in their old house is uppermost in their minds. I think, like the King and Queen, their thoughts will focus primarily on the victims of Jeffrey Epstein‘s abuse.
“I’m sure they will have taken a keen interest in all that has happened over the past couple of weeks. And I don’t think they will have shed any tears over Andrew’s dramatic fall into utter disgrace.”
While Jennie admitted that Harry and Meghan may have been simple spectators to Andrew’s fall from grace, Prince Harry is more invested in the story, given his close relationships with his cousins, Andrew and Fergie’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.
Jennie said: “Harry is, however, close to his cousins – particularly Eugenie – and I’m sure he feels great sympathy for them. Emotions must be so raw at the moment that I don’t know whether he would feel that now is the time to offer support. But, if needed, I think Harry would be there for them… at least on the end of the phone.”
