KING Charles now has a new dilemma on his hands — what to do with the “Andrew problem” after the latest revelations from the Epstein files.
While the monarch has done everything in his power to deal with his errant brother, the clamours from across the pond only grow ever louder.
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced the opinion that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor not going to the US to give evidence will effectively be a slap in the face to victims — adding to the almost unbearable pressure piling on the former prince.
And it’s simply not going away.
On the one hand, King Charles may wonder whether he has a moral imperative to tell his brother to do the right thing and reveal everything he knows.
But, in reality, he already has done everything he possibly could.
READ MORE ON SHAMED ANDREW
He stripped his brother of his titles, banished him from Royal Lodge and consigned him to shame and obscurity in the history books.
It comes as…
One wonders if Andrew can possibly sink any lower than his already meteoric fall from grace.
Yet all the indicators suggest that he might.
The latest three million documents released have unveiled the tawdry images of Andrew on his hands and knees, the arranging for Andrew to have dinner with a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman and the invitation for Epstein to come to “BP” — the common shorthand for Buckingham Palace.
That invitation came just one month after the paedophile financier was released. All the documents reveal that Epstein was not merely an acquaintance of Andrew’s.
The eyes of the world remain on Andrew waiting to see what decision he will come to next — if any.
Ingrid Seward
There’s intense speculation about yet more revelations to come, too.
One wonders just how deep and murky the vile swamp the former Prince once swum in with seeming impunity can get — as every time it seemingly can’t get any worse, somehow it does.
What must be of grave concern to King Charles is that we already have an indication of how Andrew will perform when — or more likely if — he ever agrees to appear before the US Congress.
The Windsors must have no desire to see what could be the most disastrous PR moment in royal history with a Newsnight 2.0 playing out globally.
From the revelation of a bizarre medical condition that means he could not sweat, to an alibi of visiting a PizzaExpress in Woking, Surrey, his original interview with Emily Maitlis was catastrophic.
Andrew’s lawyers must be at pains to dissuade him from giving evidence. Because they, and the rest of us, have already seen what a disastrous interviewee he is.
They know he comes across as completely entitled.
His view of the world is quite different from anyone else’s.
To describe a convicted paedophile’s behaviour as “unbecoming” as he did during that 2019 landmark interview, perfectly illustrates just how badly Andrew would fare if he agreed to help the investigation.
Man of no reputation
Yet Epstein’s victims still want justice. The eyes of the world remain on Andrew waiting to see what decision he will come to next — if any.
Legally, Andrew is not obliged to cooperate with the American justice system.
He has not been accused of committing a crime.
Crucially, legally he is also a man of no reputation.
He has fallen from grace — he has no title and his once good name that opened doors around the world, now closes them and lies in tatters.
So personally, he has nothing more to lose.
It’s undeniable Andrew is feeling the intense scrutiny of the world upon him, but it’s also important to realise he’s lived in the ivory tower of royalty for close to 66 years.
As a result, he is not a great observer of what is going on around him. This means, at times there is a complete and utter inability to read the room.
The harsh reality is Andrew is so divorced from the real world he probably imagined the victims were enjoying themselves with the titled or wealthy people they met.
While this is abhorrent to us, he lived in a bubble of privilege.
It does not excuse his actions in any way or anything he has done.
But it does provide an insight into his character.
That ultimately means King Charles will be left scratching his head. Queen Camilla along with the King are both great supporters of victims of abuse.
This was apparent when His Majesty initiated the formal process of removing Andrew’s titles and honours with the words: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
So the victims will remain very much in their minds.
But Andrew is in his 66th year — his birthday is on the 19th of this month — and so Charles cannot make him do anything he doesn’t wish to do.
He’s had enough trouble getting him out of Royal Lodge.
So while the horror of a Newsnight 2.0 hangs in the air — and so many passionately feel the victims need justice — it remains to be seen what the final act for the ex-Prince will be.
It means that while the King will not forget the victims, at the same time he cannot force his brother, even if he wanted him to cooperate.
In the past, Henry VIII would have lopped off a few heads but, these days, Kings get their advisers to do the unpleasant tasks for them.
That’s been playing out for Andrew. But as for what to do next? It remains an unsolvable dilemma.
CHARLES LIFT FOR RUNNERS
KING Charles paid a surprise visit to a park run yesterday despite the controversy swirling around younger brother Andrew.
He helped to motivate runners as they completed their first lap on his Sandringham estate, Norfolk.
The King also chatted to volunteers at the fundraising event for the Move Against Cancer charity.
Charles, 77, has been receiving treatment for the disease since February 2024, and revealed in December the “good news” it is being reduced.
He also turned up to the event at the same time last year. It comes ahead of the annual World Cancer Day on February 4.
Move Against Cancer’s 5K Your Way group was set up to support those living with the disease and beyond.
