In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing royal crisis, the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic is actively considering an unprecedented private prosecution against Prince Andrew.
The move represents one of the most significant legal challenges ever mounted against a senior royal and could see the Duke of York facing criminal proceedings without state involvement.
Legal Precedent in the Making
Republic's chief executive, Graham Smith, confirmed to Sky News that the organisation has consulted with leading King's Counsel about the viability of such a prosecution. While the specific allegations haven't been formally disclosed, they're believed to relate to the sexual assault claims that have dogged the prince for years.
This potential legal action marks a radical departure from traditional approaches to holding royals accountable, bypassing the Crown Prosecution Service entirely.
Buckingham Palace's Mounting Problems
The royal household faces an extraordinary situation as it grapples with this new threat. Private prosecutions, while rare, have proven successful in high-profile cases before, most notably in the prosecution of Stephen Lawrence's killers.
Smith emphasised the seriousness of their intent, stating they're determined to pursue every available legal avenue. 'We are looking at the possibility of a private prosecution and we have taken advice from a KC on this,' he revealed.
What This Means for the Monarchy
The implications extend far beyond Prince Andrew's personal legal troubles. A successful private prosecution would:
- Create an unprecedented legal precedent for holding senior royals accountable
- Undermine the traditional protection the Royal Family enjoys from conventional prosecution
- Potentially trigger a constitutional crisis
- Further damage public confidence in the monarchy
This development comes as Prince Andrew continues to live as a private citizen at Royal Lodge, having been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages following his settlement with Virginia Giuffre.
The palace now faces the prospect of a royal family member being dragged through the criminal courts in what would undoubtedly become the trial of the century.
