Prince Andrew Snubbed from State Banquet as King Charles Looks to Please Donald Trump
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.
Donald and Melania Trump arrived in the UK at 9 pm on September 16 for their two-day state visit. The presidential couple spent the night at Windsor Castle to prepare for a busy schedule of engagements and a state banquet. While King Charles and Queen Camilla have pulled out all the stops to welcome them, an added bonus for the President is reportedly the absence of Prince Andrew. The move comes allegedly as Charles hopes to please the politician and send him home happy. Royal expert Rhiannon Mills believes the business mogul is also relieved that Andrew won't be there for his state visit, given the resurfacing of his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The disgraced Duke of York has recently been in hot water after Republican Politician Nancy Mace called for his criminal prosecution in the US, following protests from Epstein’s victims. Commenting on the turn of events, Mills wrote for Sky News, "He [Andrew] was heavily involved in the last state visit because of his work as a business and trade envoy. He is no longer a working royal after being embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, something Trump would rather not be reminded of when it's been such a distraction in the press ahead of his state visit." She believed that despite the controversy surrounding him, the royals would remain in focus to welcome the President and First Lady.
The expert also highlighted the important role of Prince William and Kate Middleton during the state visit. She recalled Trump’s comments about William in the past, where he called him ‘a great guy' at the reopening of Notre Dame. She opined, "We can probably also expect to see more of Prince William during this state visit. Yes, partly because the government will know how popular he is in America, so they will want the heir to the throne involved in this significant charm offensive, but also because he has built his own relationship of sorts with the President." Additionally, Mills stressed that Middleton’s joint engagement with Melania at Frogmore Gardens for their 'secret squirrel' mission (a meeting with Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout of the Scouts Association) will go down as "a treat with the White House, adding considerable state visit sparkle for the American audience."
Mills' comments on the President's alleged disdain for Andrew came shortly after a report by Page Six, which claimed Charles was ‘embarrassed’ by the Duke of York’s sketchy past. Recently, Epstein’s victims have slammed the FBI’s decision not to disclose any further information from their files on the financier's crimes. Multiple sources revealed that Andrew will never again attempt to enter the US over his fear of arrest or prosecution. It marks a major difference from Trump’s previous state visit to the UK back in June 2019, during which he held business meetings with the Prince.
On September 4, Mace wrote from her government account (now deleted) on her X, "So when do we prosecute Prince Andrew for potential crimes on US soil? Seems like the right next step (after we release the files)." In a separate post on her personal account, she described a 'cold dark cell' and the Duke of York in handcuffs, saying it 'sends the right message.'
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)