Prince Andrew’s future in the Royal Family is in doubt after a leaked email appeared to show him in touch with Jeffrey Epstein a year after claiming he’d ceased contact
Andrew’s long-erm future depends on his nephew(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images)
In recent years, Prince William has repeatedly expressed his plan to bring about changes in the Royal Family when he eventually ascends the throne. It appears increasingly probable that one of these changes could spell trouble for his uncle, Prince Andrew.
In a recent interview with Schitt’s Creek actor Eugene Levy, the future king stated: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good and I embrace that, I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it, that’s the bit that excites me, the idea of being able to bring some change.”
The Duke of York’s position within the Royal Family is under intense scrutiny following a leaked email that seemingly shows him in contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a year after he claimed to have severed ties. Now, royal commentator Jennie Bond suggests that it’s “crunch time for the Duke, and indeed the Duchess, of York.”
In her column for the i newspaper, she speculates that William might “wield the axe” and permanently exclude Prince Andrew from any future public duties once he becomes King.
Jennie, who served as the BBC’s royal correspondent for 14 years, elaborates: “King Charles has never been that close to Andrew, but he is his big brother. And Charles is a man who is all about harmony …he is not someone who enjoys confrontation.”
William would be reluctant to embarrass Beatrice and Eugenie (Image: Getty)
On the other hand, Jennie points out that William is “one step removed” from Charles and Andrew’s relationship, and he is also “determined to change the monarchy for the better”.
One of the proposed changes, he suggests, might be to dismiss his uncle from The Firm to avoid any further embarrassment.
However, Jennie points out a significant hurdle William must tackle – his close bond with cousins Beatrice and Eugenie. She explained: “Banishing or humiliating Andrew and Fergie would cause the sisters further hurt. And that’s a tough nut for William to crack.”
In addition to Andrew’s long-standing association with Epstein, who died in a New York prison less than a week after guards removed him from suicide watch, questions have been raised about the Prince’s friendship with Chinese entrepreneur Yang Tengbo.
The prince has been mired in scandal for several years(Image: Getty)
The BBC has reported that MI5 took the unusual step of intervening to caution against Andrew having contact with Yang after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission discovered that he had not disclosed his connections to a covert agency of the Chinese government specialising in “political interference.”
Recent surveys suggest that the British public would largely support stripping Andrew of his remaining titles – which include Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.
However, she added, both Andrew and former wife Sarah Ferguson “should rightly fear the day that William becomes king”.