Former Prince Andrew has been arrested and is facing investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, marking the first time a royal has been arrested in 377 years. The investigation comes as King Charles III grapples with a crisis for the monarchy, echoing past challenges like the abdication of Edward VIII.
Andrew’s ‘Indulged’ Youth
King Charles once described his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as a “remote and glamorous figure.” The Queen acceded to the throne at age 25 and was focused on her new constitutional duties while preparing Charles to succeed her.
By the time Andrew was born in 1960, Elizabeth had reigned for eight years and was growing more confident in her role. Insiders say he benefited from the Queen’s indulgence, receiving more attention than his older children.
Andrew grew up to be a Royal Navy helicopter pilot in the Falklands War. Upon his return, the Queen greeted him with a red rose, which he placed between his teeth. He was considered the “golden boy” of the royal family, bringing youthful glamour to the monarchy.
However, some commentators say Andrew became overly indulged, protected throughout his life and allowed to pursue his desires without consequence.
Andrew’s Plum Role Defined by Scandal
After retiring from the Royal Navy in 2001, Andrew was appointed as the UK special representative for international trade and investment, a position approved by the Queen despite objections from Charles. He earned the nickname “Air Miles Andy” for his frequent, taxpayer-funded travel and faced criticism for questionable business dealings.
During his time as trade envoy, rumors began to spread about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein “played” Andrew, exploiting him for respectability and access to political leaders.
While Andrew has denied any knowledge of or participation in Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring, his communications with Epstein as trade envoy are now under investigation.
Epstein Connection Catches Up With Him
After stepping down from his post, Andrew remained a frequent visitor to the Queen. A former palace aide said the Queen would send him handwritten notes and he always greeted her with a specific ritual she adored.
However, controversies continued, including an incident in 2016 where he rammed his Range Rover through closed gates. Then, Virginia Giuffre alleged that Epstein trafficked her to Andrew when she was 17 years old.
Andrew denies ever having met Giuffre, despite a widely circulated photograph showing him with his arm around her. In a 2019 BBC interview, he made bizarre claims about his inability to sweat and failed to show sympathy for Epstein’s victims, leading to widespread outrage.
He subsequently stepped back from his senior royal duties. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre, rumored to be about £12 million (NZD$27.11m), without admitting guilt.
The Queen removed his charitable patronages and banned him from using the title of His Royal Highness, but continued to include him in some public appearances.
Andrew’s Downfall: Very Slowly, and Then All at Once
King Charles, upon acceding to the throne, initially adopted a similar strategy to his mother, occasionally reprimanding Andrew while largely keeping him within the royal fold. However, the arrest this week prompted Charles to cut all ties with his brother, referring to him as “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor” in a statement.
The monarchy’s survival is being questioned, with public support declining in recent years. Some royal watchers believe the Queen’s handling of Andrew’s scandals contributed to this moment.
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