Royal Crisis Escalates Amid Epstein Scandal Fallout
Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was reportedly more preoccupied with the welfare of his horses than the escalating scandal surrounding his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to insider sources. This revelation comes as the monarchy grapples with its most severe crisis in decades, following Andrew's recent arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Andrew was taken into police custody for eleven hours on his 66th birthday, subsequently released under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy. Detectives are currently conducting searches at his former residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, while Andrew remains secluded in a cottage on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Before his arrest, a source close to the royal family in Norfolk described Andrew's demeanor as detached, stating he did "nothing but complain since he got here" and seemed largely unconcerned about the Epstein allegations. "He hardly seemed bothered about the Epstein scandal. He was much more worried about where he was supposed to keep his horses," the source told the Daily Mail, adding, "He is in another world."
Public Sentiment and Family Distancing
Local residents near Royal Lodge expressed strong opinions about the situation. Ben, a dog walker who wished to remain anonymous, commented, "I think the mood of the nation is behind the fact that he should answer for whatever he's done." He noted that the royal family has actively distanced themselves from Andrew, saying, "They've kicked him out, basically, haven't they? And that's it." When asked about Andrew's popularity as a neighbour, Ben bluntly replied, "He's not popular. But he's not popular anywhere, is he?"
Sarah Ferguson's Response and Business Closures
The whereabouts of Andrew's immediate family, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and his ex-wife Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson, remain unknown. Friends of Ferguson revealed she is "very, very down" and feels deeply depressed, believing "the world is out to get her." However, they emphasized that she shows no remorse for the events unfolding, instead desiring for the situation to dissipate so she can resume her life, with one friend noting, "Her head is in the sand."
In the wake of the Epstein files' publication, six companies linked to Ferguson are being dissolved. These include:
- S Phoenix Events
- Fergie's Farm
- La Luna Investments
- Solamoon Ltd
- Philanthrapreneur Ltd
- Planet Partners Productions Ltd
None of these entities appear to have been active recently. According to Companies House, applications to strike them off the register were filed after new revelations about Ferguson's communications with Epstein emerged from millions of documents released by US authorities.
Email Exchanges with Epstein
Released documents from last month include email exchanges between Ferguson and Epstein, some dated after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. In one message, Ferguson allegedly wrote, "I am at your service. Just marry me." Another email from September 2011 reads, "Don't know if you are still on this bbm but heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy. Even though you never kept in touch, I still am here with love, friendship and congratulations on your baby boy. Sarah xx" This was followed by a subsequent message expressing hurt, stating, "It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply. More than you will know."
Legal and Charitable Implications
Following the loss of her courtesy royal divorcee title late last year, Ferguson officially changed her details for all associated companies from Sarah Duchess of York to Sarah Margaret Ferguson. Additionally, Sarah's Trust, a charity she founded, announced its closure "for the foreseeable future" days after the new details about her friendship with Epstein came to light. The dissolution of companies is a legal process for closing entities that have not traded in three months, as per UK government guidelines.
This ongoing scandal continues to cast a long shadow over the royal family, with investigations and public scrutiny intensifying as more details emerge.
