The statement issued by Buckingham Palace last night, addressing the ongoing fallout from the latest release of Epstein files, was undeniably terse:
The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.
Its inference was every bit as clear as the Prince and Princess of Wales’s remarks earlier the same day. Thanks to the recent revelations about the former Duke of York’s behaviour in relation to his friendship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, it is now obvious that at the highest level of the Firm there is an expectation that a formal police investigation into Andrew will be launched, beginning sooner rather than later. And the King has made his position admirably clear.
This is as much a moral decision as a practical one
There was some concern that the royal family’s usual adage of ‘never complain, never explain’ may as well include ‘never involve the police’. The constitutional historian Walter Bagehot once famously said of the monarchy that ‘we must not let in daylight upon magic’. While we do not need to go that far, there has often been an acceptance and understanding that the workings of royalty are not to be treated in the same way as anything else in British public life. Hence the obfuscation that has existed when it comes to producing satisfactory financial accounts, or indeed how Prince Philip’s will – along with other similar royal documents – can be concealed from view for 90 years from the date of probate.
The question that some of these actions lead to is ‘do the royal family have something to hide?’ Now, with the Epstein files coming into scandalous public view, the answer is that, yes, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has undoubtedly had something to hide. Many things fall into scope: whether it is his dubious relationships with various young women or his apparent passing of sensitive trade documents obtained during his ‘Air Miles Andy’ days straight into the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.
It is as clear to his elder brother as it is to the man on the street that the Queen’s favourite child has not behaved in a fashion that suits the dignity of a counsellor of state and one-time leading member of the royal family. Hence how Andrew’s various banishments and title removals, as alluded to in the statement’s reference to ‘unprecedented actions’, came to pass. Andrew strenuously denies any wrongdoing.
Now, in the most unprecedented twist yet, the royal family may face the arrival of Thames Valley Police at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, ready to methodically investigate private correspondence relating to Epstein that will go to the heart of the monarchy. Will the King be prevailed upon to hand over any letters that he has exchanged with Andrew? (It is impossible to imagine the pair of them WhatsApping.) Are there embarrassing disclosures that dwarf anything that has yet been brought into the public domain? Both of these things are entirely possible. The sense remains, as with the rest of the Epstein scandal, that we are yet in the foothills of the mountain.
Charles deserves credit for his bold decision to throw away expected protocol and support the inevitable investigation. Nobody, royal or not, welcomes the knock of the inspector at that door. But this move into unknown territory confirms that we have a monarch fit for the 21st century who does not shy away from hard, even unpleasant, decisions.
Some would argue that the King has no other option, and they may be right. His statement’s final lines are brimming with anger:
As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.
This makes it clear, though, that this is as much a moral decision as a practical one. It is time, now, for Andrew to start sweating profusely.
Comments