Trust and transparency: What does Prince Andrew do next?

Prince Andrew’s role in the Epstein scandal and his position in British public life continues to receive the most intense scrutiny. Over the past few days, I’ve been struck by the sheer scale and variety of the allegations he faces, and their wider reputational implications. If anything, the questions Prince Andrew faces seem to be multiplying.   

Today’s Daily Telegraph suggests this is the “biggest royal crisis since the abdication of Edward VIII” in the 1930s. What is certain is this is a critical moment for securing public trust. If the Monarchy had hoped that last week’s statement, detailing how Prince Andrew was to give up many of his titles, would put an end to media speculation, they’ve been sorely mistaken. 

This morning, the former Tory leadership hopeful and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Jenrick, stated Prince Andrew should “leave public life forever” for the sake of The Royal Family and the country. Other opposition politicians want parliament to debate his conduct and argue for changes in legislation. 

Today has seen the publication of ‘Nobody’s Girl’, the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. It sets out in detail her allegations against Prince Andrew, which he denies.     

It also contains harrowing details of her abuse over many years at the hands of American businessman and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In the USA, both Republicans and Democrats seek the publication of more details of Jeffrey Epstein’s extensive connections with the powerful and influential. 

Here in the UK, the media want greater clarity around Prince Andrew’s finances, including the rent for his royal residence in Windsor Great Park. And where did the money ultimately come from for the multi-million-pound settlement he reached with Virginia Guiffre?

Investigations are said to be underway into whether Prince Andrew sought to pressurise the Metropolitan Police improperly into investigating his accuser, and whether he employed internet trolls to abuse Virginia Guiffre on social media. 

Concerns over Prince Andrew’s questionable relationship with the Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, banned from the UK in 2023, adds yet another explosive element to this unfolding scandal.   

In the face of such mounting criticism, the greatest mistake by Palace officials or indeed other institutions of the British state would be to deflect, dissemble or ignore any of these wider issues. The global interest and attention being placed on the Epstein scandal shows no sign of disappearing. Saying or doing nothing is not an option.