RUSSELL MYERS: 'Prince Andrew scandal will not go away - leaving King and William to save face'

Royal Editor Russell Myers says Virginia Giuffre's memoir from beyond the grave, published on Tuesday, only serves to present more uncomfortable questions for the monarchy

20:37, 20 Oct 2025

This is simply the scandal that will not go away.

We’ve had the excuses, the settlements, the relinquishing of titles, and now Prince Andrew finds himself at the centre of an active police investigation. It is hard to recall a time when this disgraceful episode, involving Andrew’s close relationship with a convicted sex offender, was not causing immense damage to the royal family.

Even after being summoned by a furious King last week, who demanded an explanation to this latest raft of tawdy allegations making global headlines, Andrew could not offer a single guarantee of what may come next. Tragic Virginia Giuffre’s memoir from beyond the grave only serves to present more uncomfortable questions for the monarchy, in this sorry episode that festers like an open wound.

The late Queen forced her so-called “favourite son” to step back from his duties following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, which has since exposed Andrew as a liar for claiming he cut off contact with paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein months before he was still emailing him promising to “play some more soon”. Yet Andrew’s partial exile from royal life has not been enough to stem the tide of allegations six years on.

With every unanswered allegation, to which Andrew has always maintained his innocence, the King and Prince William face a daily battle to uphold The Firm’s reputation. Serious questions must be asked as to who knew what and when at Buckingham Palace.

If a member of the public stood accused of such behaviour, could any other company or institution conceivably stand by without launching an immediate internal investigation? Would it not be an incredible dereliction of duty if such a probe remained unopened?

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The King, who continues to undergo gruelling weekly treatment for cancer 19 months after his diagnosis, has grown weary of this particular battle. Prince William could barely hide his distain for his uncle when he attempted to cosy up to him at a family funeral last month. But why have they not executed the full powers at their disposal and banished Andrew for good?

Royal sources suggest the King does not want to take up parliamentary time needed to strip his brother of his titles for good, instead allowing him to shelve them and provide a veil of respectability for his decision. Some may further question why such action is only being taken now, after 15 years of dealing with this shameful episode.

William will no doubt not be so patient, already promising change at the heart of the monarchy which includes Andrew being nowhere near him or the family to create further damage. He knows full well that every day this situation is allowed to continue, the good work done by the family, helping shine a light on causes of immense importance, runs the risk of going unnoticed and leaving a stench over the entire institution forever.