Charles and William Urged to Do One Thing on Camera to Restore the Monarchy's Reputation
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's controversial ties with Jeffrey Epstein have been dubbed the royal family's biggest scandal to date. Following the latest release of the Epstein files, many Britons have questioned why the royals had remained silent until they were seemingly provoked to act. Commenting on the same, royal expert Robert Jobson suggested that King Charles and Prince William should address the issue on air to distance themselves from the scandal, rather than relying on empty PR statements.
Speaking to The Times, Jobson explained the younger generation's tendency to hold the monarchy accountable for its continued silence. He said, "Younger people just don't have the same deference towards the monarchy and so are asking why he [Andrew] is being protected, which then leads to arguments about the amount of money the monarchy costs..." He added, "At some point, they [Charles and William] are going to have to address this and not just with Palace aides through PR speak, but through, for example, a television address where they make the very strong case that they don't condone any of this behavior."
The royal expert's statements come after a recent Ipsos poll found that 90% of Britons supported the King's decision to strip Mountbatten-Windsor of his titles. The following month, 75% believed that he should give evidence before the US Congress. Meanwhile, the former Duke has vacated Royal Lodge and will relocate to a smaller residence, Marsh Farm, on the Sandringham estate. He is temporarily housed in Wood Farm, also in Sandringham. Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, told the outlet, "The truth is that if one email comes out suggesting William and Charles were fully aware of what was happening 15 years ago, then it is game over."
Previously, a report in The Times claimed that the Prince of Wales was concerned about his disgraced uncle's well-being after new revelations about his ties to Epstein surfaced. A source revealed, "In the whole sorry saga, William was often painted as the tough guy urging his father to put his foot down. This image of ruthless William was, I'm told, wide of the mark." Instead, the report suggested the Prince was deeply concerned about how Mountbatten-Windsor would cope once his roles, titles, and privileges were removed, even though he ultimately supported his father's strict action.
According to the Daily Mail, Jobson had alleged that the royal family was worried for both Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, but feared further revelations tied to the Epstein files. He stressed, "This is precisely what the King and those around him, including Prince William, have been dreading. But despite the concern, the monarch was ultimately left with no choice but to act sternly." Shedding light on the mounting pressure the Yorks have been facing since the scandals broke, he added, "I believe even members of the royal family who have taken action are concerned about their mental health."