Andrew’s Crisis Is Being Called the 'Biggest Royal Scandal' Since 1936: 'It's Turning Into a Disaster'
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing
For decades, the royal family maintained a decent image, with very few blips and controversies making waves. That reputation was deeply shaken by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's association with Jeffrey Epstein, which thrust the Palace into prolonged crisis management. Now, the release of a fresh batch of Epstein files has reignited scrutiny, with disturbing details once again dominating headlines. Weighing in on the fallout, British politician Nigel Farage described it as the biggest royal scandal since King Edward VIII's abdication in 1936.
As per the Daily Express, Farage spoke at a press conference and warned that Mountbatten-Windsor's friendship with Epstein has seriously threatened the monarchy's reputation. He said, "I think for the royal family, what started off as an embarrassment is rapidly turning into a disaster, and perhaps it's the biggest scandal to engulf the royals since 1936." He was comparing the fallout to King Edward VIII's abdication from the throne to marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. During that era, monarchs and royal family members had to relinquish their royal status to marry a divorcee.
New photos released by the US Department of Justice showed the former Prince on all fours, crouching above an unconscious woman. Commenting on the same, the politician insisted that Mountbatten-Windsor must face the law as any other person, adding, "If that is valid, if there is a genuine justification for making that complaint, and it is not vexatious there is no reason why his treatment by the law should not be exactly the same as all the rest of us, and I think the country would agree with that absolutely overwhelmingly." Heaping praises for King Charles's swift action, Farage continued, "The King has acted relatively quickly on all of this, and thank goodness, frankly, that he did."
Likewise, royal author Andrew Lownie claimed that Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson have cultivated a culture of deception. Speaking of the recent revelations, he told the Daily Mail, "They lie even about things they don't need to lie about. So, I'm afraid their reputations are absolutely in the dust. Neither of them can ever recover from what's been emerging." Meanwhile, royal author Tom Bower, sharing his thoughts on the former Prince's fallout, suggested that the latest Epstein documents were 'devastating,' but praised Charles's decision to strip him of his titles. "It's utterly devastating, and thank God the King stripped him of his titles and isolated him."
On January 30, the US Department of Justice released more than three million documents connected to the files. Gloria Allred, a lawyer who has represented 27 of Epstein's victims, told the Daily Mail, "The Metropolitan Police should reopen their investigation of Andrew. In addition, Andrew should volunteer to speak to Congress, even though he has denied that he has committed any crime." In October last year, Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles and told to vacate Royal Lodge, amid mounting public and institutional pressure.
If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)