Last week, Prince Andrew was in the news again, although I’m not sure how much attention this story actually got in the UK or American media. In Prince Andrew’s infamous 2019 Newsnight interview, he claimed that the last time he saw Jeffrey Epstein, it was December 2010, when Andrew flew to New York to break off their friendship in person following Epstein’s conviction of sex crimes and subsequent house arrest. Well, new documents reveal that Andrew actually partied with Epstein WHILE Epstein was under house-arrest in Florida, in June 2010. Not only that, but Andrew didn’t actually break off the friendship (or whatever it was) – Andrew and Epstein were still in “regular contact” throughout February 2011.
Meanwhile, another royal biographer is taking a crack at the tragedy that is Prince Andrew. Biographer Andrew Lownie recently chatted with Clive Irving at the Daily Beast about Andrw, Epstein and King Charles. Some highlights:
Andrew & Charles’s war: Prince Andrew is locked in a “power and status game” with brother King Charles, and the battle over how long he stays at his home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, is just one component, according to the prince’s next biographer, Andrew Lownie. “The problem is there is a contract with the Crown Estate. Andrew can stay there on peppercorn rent in return for doing it up. Andrew is digging his heels in because he argues he needs a large house—it has 30 rooms—for when his grandchildren come to stay, and it’s part of a wider power and status game with Charles. Optics don’t look good, but that won’t worry Andrew. I don’t see him ever leaving.”
Andrew cannot make a comeback: “No, because of his temperament and the way he continues to behave he cannot make a comeback. He’ll be let out for family occasions, but he is by nature a hermit so he won’t be too worried.”
Lownie thinks Andrew did more damage to the monarchy than the Sussexes: He agrees that the seemingly tireless tabloid pursuit of Harry and Meghan has conveniently deflected attention from Andrew, and that in terms of reputational damage to the Windsors he is by far the biggest problem. Lownie said, “Andrew is the bigger problem as Harry will disappear, and there will be sympathy for him if and when he and Meghan divorce, but more and more embarrassing stories about Andrew will continue to appear.”
Andrew & Epstein: “Andrew has never done himself any favors when he has tried to explain his time around Epstein. His former private secretary, Alastair Watson, said that he had first met Epstein in the early 1990s, not as Andrew claimed in 1999. He claimed he cannot sweat, but I have plenty of testimony of him sweating at the time Giuffre claimed she was with him in London.”
What was Andrew & Epstein’s relationship really about? “My research suggests that the Epstein story is more complicated and that Andrew’s closeness to Epstein was more to do with money than sex with young women—after all, he never lacked the opportunity for sex, many women regarded him as a good catch. Andrew, of course, is not the only person who was swimming in these waters. Scores of well-known international figures—politicians, financiers and celebrities were entertained by Epstein, and were on the infamous ‘Lolita’ flight.”
“Andrew is the bigger problem as Harry will disappear, and there will be sympathy for him if and when he and Meghan divorce…” Dafaq?? IF AND WHEN? These people live in their own little world, I swear to God. While I think Andrew is a huge problem for the monarchy, let’s also be clear: what the institution did and is still doing to the Sussexes will haunt the monarchy forever. It was the inflection point. The Windsors also tied Prince Andrew to their despicable campaign against the Sussexes – it has been obvious for years now that whenever the Firm rages about the Sussexes, it’s because they’re hiding really awful sh-t about Andrew or other royals. And I’m sorry, I just can’t get over the completely bonkers argument that “Harry will disappear.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
(left to right) The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, The Duke of York, Lady Louise Windsor, and the Countess of Wessex on a walkabout to thank members of the public at Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406829, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon 
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Prince Andrew, Duke of York follows behind The Queen’s funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy as it leaves Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.,Image: 724154624, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Jeff Spicer / Avalon 
Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Andrew Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. Pictures by Dan Charit Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. ;,Image: 774185717, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Unknown / Avalon
Prince Michael of Kent (L) and Prince Andrew departs The Coronation Service of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, England, UK on Saturday 6 May, 2023.,Image: 774227888, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon 
Prince Andrew during the Coronation of King Charles III, London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774246840, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Phil Harris / Avalon 
Duke of York, Prince Andrew, at The Coronation of King Charles III at London”s Westminster Abbey 06 May 2023,Image: 774252265, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Mark Stewart / Avalon
Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham Featuring: Prince Andrew Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom When: 25 Dec 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only** 
The Duke of Yorkat the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London. Featuring: Prince Andrew, The Duke of York Where: London, United Kingdom When: 06 May 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWpnan1ze8%2BroKeblZSur7DRnq6YnJ%2BawKC5zqucmKqVpcK1rdOipqeZnJSxornAoJyYrJ%2BUwamxvqamp5mimLW6q9OhmKeXpJ2yoL%2FUrKqesJWofA%3D%3D