Disgruntled Prince Andrew voices displeasure over deregulation of his royal rank
In the ongoing saga of the British royal family, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, remains embroiled in controversy following his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse scandal and the release of the book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.
The Duke, who has been stripped of his public royal roles and patronages, retains some hereditary and honorary titles, but lives a private, retired life away from public duties, primarily residing at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate.
Public and expert opinion continues to view him negatively, with a recent YouGov poll showing 87% of people hold an unfavorable view of him. There is no indication from the royal family or public authorities to reinstate his royal status.
Prince Andrew has vehemently denied the abuse allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he had sex with her when she was underage. However, Andrew acknowledged in a court filing that Epstein was a trafficker and Giuffre was an established victim of abuse. Giuffre died earlier this year.
Although an FBI investigation into Andrew related to Epstein was dropped, there has been US political interest and questions about the closure of that investigation, but no current move to bring him to the US for questioning.
The book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, set to be released on August 14, is causing a stir and paints a sordid and status-obsessed picture of Prince Andrew. The author, Andrew Lownie, criticizes the lack of transparency and accountability from the royal family during his research.
Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Prinzessin Eugenie, are reportedly "deeply embarrassed" by the book. Lownie believes that Prince Andrew has no future in the public eye and his private future is limited.
The Duke has had to shed his image as the "favorite son" of Queen Elizabeth II due to the scandals. He lives a quiet life at the Royal Lodge, playing golf, watching TV, and seeing his grandchildren.
However, the book also reports offensive comments made by Prince Andrew towards Prince Harry's wife, Meghan. Prince Harry's spokesperson has denied these accusations and confirmed that there was no physical altercation between the two.
The BBC interview served as the basis for a Netflix film, further highlighting the Duke's controversial past. Lownie, the author, is most bothered by the loss of Prince Andrew's royal status and the fact that he can no longer wear his uniforms.
In summary, Prince Andrew remains stripped of his public royal roles and patronages, lives privately with no public future, and continues to face reputational damage related to the Epstein scandal exacerbated by recent revelations in the book about his life and family.
Celebrities, including the Duke of York, have faced intense scrutiny and negative public opinion, particularly in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse scandal. The release of the book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York has further tarnished the Duke's image, painting a controversial portrait of his private life.
