Credited from: REUTERS
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, has officially moved out of his long-time residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor after damaging new revelations emerged regarding his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The royal family confirmed this transition, revealing that he had moved quietly to a cottage in Sandringham, located on the king's estate in Norfolk, eastern England. His departure marks a significant fallout from public scrutiny related to his ties to Epstein, with sources quoting a friend stating, "With the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go," emphasizing the humiliating nature of the move that took place under the cover of darkness, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.
The exit of the former prince follows revelations from recent U.S. Department of Justice files indicating that Andrew maintained contact with Epstein for over two years after the financier was convicted of child sex crimes. The documents include shocking allegations about Andrew's interactions, including a letter suggesting he and Epstein had sought to engage the services of young women for sexual acts. While Andrew has maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein, the release of the files has prompted renewed calls for him to testify regarding these allegations, notably from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The documents have instigated a review by Thames Valley Police into new allegations against Andrew, as reported by CBS News and Reuters.
Andrew's departure from Windsor comes as he faces serious accusations relating not only to his past association with Epstein but also concerning further allegations emerging from the Epstein files. Reports now indicate that he was implicated in sending an unnamed woman to the U.K. for a sexual encounter during 2010 at Royal Lodge, heightening the scrutiny on the former prince and the royal family. Buckingham Palace's decision to strip Andrew of his titles last year and to halt his royal duties was presented as a necessary measure amidst this crisis, illuminating King Charles' commitment to prioritizing the welfare of abuse victims, as noted by Channel News Asia and CBS News.
The implications of Andrew's ongoing scandal have extended to public discourse, with political leaders suggesting that his continued refusal to testify might obstruct justice for Epstein's victims. British Prime Minister Starmer stated that anyone with pertinent information should be prepared to provide it, whereas Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips has emphasized that Andrew's cooperation "would be everything." This multifaceted situation brings to light significant challenges facing the royal family amid ongoing societal demands for accountability and transparency, as highlighted in several reports from Reuters, Channel News Asia, and CBS News.