Prince Andrew

[Karen-W]

I read tonight that Andrew has to sell his ski chalet in Switzerland (where Fergie and the girls and their families have been holidaying this week) because the Queen has made it clear she will not be paying any legal fees or settlement with Andrew’s accuser. That doesn’t absolve her, of course, she has protected and coddled him for years, but poor baby! Not the ski chalet in Switzerland!

The ski chalet has been up on the market for several years, IIRC. I don't think that the sale has anything to do with the Queen's willingness or unwillingness to pay his legal fees or any settlements, but more because Andrew has always been terrible about managing his money and he and Fergie have often spent lavishly and well beyond their actual worth.

I have kids. If my son did something illegal, like rape a girl, I would make him turn himself in. I certainly wouldn't protect him.

He isn't being accused of raping her. And her story has changed over the years.

I'm not going to get into a discussion about victim-blaming because that's not my intent here - what he did, in sleeping with a young woman young enough to be his daughter, is gross and pathetic, and he's just an arrogant, stupid man in general (let's be real, do we truly believe the Fergie cash for access scandal happened in a vacuum?), but Guiffre's story has some holes in it that a competent lawyer could drive a Mack truck through (not that Andrew's legal team seems to be necessarily competent, of course his arrogance might be hamstringing them).

 

[Andora]

I'm not going to get into a discussion about victim-blaming because that's not my intent here - what he did, in sleeping with a young woman young enough to be his daughter, is gross and pathetic, and he's just an arrogant, stupid man in general (let's be real, do we truly believe the Fergie cash for access scandal happened in a vacuum?), but Guiffre's story has some holes in it that a competent lawyer could drive a Mack truck through (not that Andrew's legal team seems to be necessarily competent, of course his arrogance might be hamstringing them).

I'm not going to get into a discussion about victim blaming while I continue to victim blame/shame.

 

[MacMadame]

He isn't being accused of raping her. And her story has changed over the years.

He absolutely has.

 

[Cachoo]

Imagine if he was the oldest son....

 

[once_upon]

I have kids. If my son did something illegal, like rape a girl, I would make him turn himself in. I certainly wouldn't protect him

I think it is easy to say what you would do, when not really confronted with the situation.

It's easier to make them do something when they are under 18 or even 21.

Prince Andrew is an adult. I'm not sure anyone can make him do anything.

 

[canbelto]

It makes sense that the Queen favors Andrew. He's acted like a spoiled brat his whole life.

 

[attyfan]

I've read several posters say that HMQ "protected" him, but I have not read any specifics on what she is supposed to have done to do so. When I googled "queen protecting andrew", I got things like hosting him at Balmoral or having him escort her to church. How is this "protecting him"? IIRC, HMQ is a devout Anglican. She would think church is the best place for Andrew -- whether he needs forgiveness (if guilty) or vindication (if not).

 

[MLIS]

My understanding is that the palace has squashed stories about his behaviour over the years, and there certainly have been no consequences up until the last couple of years. He has had cushy "trade envoy" positions created for him, been untouchable in dodgy business deals, been given lots of honourary appointments and honours, asked to accompany the Queen and stand next to her at high profile events (giving the impression he has her support), and been allowed to live at Windsor behind gates and security ... that even allowed him to dodge being served with papers in this lawsuit for weeks. Many theorize that a lot of the negative stories abut the younger generation, particularly about Harry and especially Meghan, have been suspiciously timed to be leaked at the same time as some new information about Andrew came out in order to bury the story. Certainly he (and his ex-wife!) has been allowed to make money off his title for years, something Harry and Meghan were criticized for. Whether this is at the Queen's direction or the "men in the suits" in the palace, it does give the sense that he has been protected for years, often with his nephews and their wives being used as a shield or a distraction.

 

[attyfan]

His dismissal motion was denied:

Judge rules sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew can move ahead | CNN

A federal judge in New York on Wednesday denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against Prince Andrew filed by Virginia Giuffre, a woman who alleges she was sexually trafficked to the royal when she was underage.

www.cnn.com

 

[Winnipeg]

Good, it should be heard in court. If what PA says is true, it will (or should) come out in court and he would be exonerated. However, if it comes out he is guilty, then he needs to be held accountable regardless of his "stature" or "rank" in life as a prince.

 

[overedge]

Lock him up!!

 

[Winnipeg]

If proven guilty...............

 

[attyfan]

HMQ has pulled his military titles:

The Queen dramatically removes Prince Andrew’s military titles and HRH status

The Queen has removed the Duke of York’s military titles following the decision by a US judge to proceed with his sexual assault civil case. The 61-year-old has also lost his HRH status and his pat…

royalcentral.co.uk

 

[canbelto]

About time.

 

[Lemonade20]

HMQ has pulled his military titles:

The Queen dramatically removes Prince Andrew’s military titles and HRH status

The Queen has removed the Duke of York’s military titles following the decision by a US judge to proceed with his sexual assault civil case. The 61-year-old has also lost his HRH status and his pat…

royalcentral.co.uk

It's the right thing to do. He did this to himself and he should be defending himself as a private citizen.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

Too bad it is only a civil trial. At least the loss of his royal titles is going to sting. Charles must have had to push the Queen hard for that.

 

[once_upon]

It's good that she put him in a private citizen status. But more than anything I bet it's to protect the BRF from any liability in the awarding of damages or settlement

 

[Tesla]

About damn time.

 

[Winnipeg]

Good decision.

 

[sk9tingfan]

HMQ has pulled his military titles:

The Queen dramatically removes Prince Andrew’s military titles and HRH status

The Queen has removed the Duke of York’s military titles following the decision by a US judge to proceed with his sexual assault civil case. The 61-year-old has also lost his HRH status and his pat…

royalcentral.co.uk

This is what it officially looks like:

https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1481674049310896129/photo/1

 

[MacMadame]

About time.

Past time. Though better late than never.

 

[Cachoo]

Now I want to see some names of men who used Epstein’s service on this side of the pond.

 

[overedge]

He's probably hoping really hard right now that some Nowherestan businessman with $$$ finally buys his Swiss ski chalet....

 

[Winnipeg]

Wasn't Trump a guest there too?

 

[attyfan]

Wasn't Trump a guest there too?

Supposedly Bill Clinton also knew Epstein. So, conservative media will harp on Clinton; liberal on Trump; and those that want to be non-partisan -- Andrew

 

[MacMadame]

Supposedly Bill Clinton also knew Epstein. So, conservative media will harp on Clinton; liberal on Trump; and those that want to be non-partisan -- Andrew

We can always harp on them all.

The way I look at it is, lots of men were cozy with Epstein for various reasons. So far, there aren't accusations or even rumors of actual illegal behavior by either Trump or Clinton (or Bill Gates for that matter). But there are for Andrew. So I will concentrate on Andrew.

 

[Winnipeg]

It seems that men who actually attended his parties and could see the presence of young girls should have been able to figure out what was going on and then opt not to visit him?

I agree there is no crime in mere association but still, it does indicate a type of person who could stomach such goings on and think nothing of it.

 

[Judy]

There are likely millions of men involved with Epstein and underage girls.

 

[MacMadame]

There are likely millions of men involved with Epstein and underage girls.

I'd be surprised if it was more than a thousand. We have seen the pictures and there aren't millions of men in them.

 

[Husky]

Too bad it is only a civil trial. At least the loss of his royal titles is going to sting. Charles must have had to push the Queen hard for that.

Is there a source that mentions that it was Charles?