Despite his villainous behaviour, anyone feel a teeny bit sorry for Andrew?

I think the other photo is a balloon

Seen so many pictures of what AMW has been up to and peoples going on about how awful it is. When you see the picture the tag line might say Prince Andrew but the person in the photo is not Prince Andrew/AMW

People need to really look at what is put in front of them and use some critical thinking.

I can see him being charged (because the police are being forced into a trial because the general public won’t accept anything else) Then his defence team having a field day with the fake photos and ridiculous accusations.

This latest one being the inference that he is entertaining a random child for nefarious purposes when it’s just him playing with his nephew

Is playing ball with your baby nephew or niece weird now,

Once saw the headlines that Richard Madderly was spotted having dinner with a young mystery blonde. There was a few paragraphs about them giggling whilst Judy was home alone.

It was his daughter

I agree, another example of stuff being projected onto anything he’s ever done. Even if it is a ball that looks like a breast- is that so heinous?

Isn’t that picture of Prince Edward’s son. It looks very like him

What exactly is weird about the picture

Also why are we saying that a ball looks like a breast when it looks like it has got what looks like felt butterfly’s struck to it.

He’s entitled, lecherous, rude, snobbish and none too intelligent. He enjoys sex with young women, uses prostitutes and probably gives no thought at all to the lives of the people around him whom he just sees as staff. He’s abused his position as trade envoy, conflict of interest doesn’t begin to cover it. No one has come out publicly to say anything positive about him. However, I am a bit uncomfortable with the glee at his downfall. There’s something quite vengeful and sadistic about it. We seem to be projecting all sorts of things onto him- pedophilia, torture chambers etc. Some of this is skidding into the realms of morbid fantasy. My hope is for a full investigation into his business/ financial dealings and an overdue examination of the royal family’s financial affairs as a whole.

I agree, another example of stuff being projected onto anything he’s ever done. Even if it is a ball that looks like a breast- is that so heinous?

No, on the present information available, I have no sympathy.

If anything were to come out that AMW had historically been an abuse victim, that might change my view, but at present I have heard nothing to suggest that.

He's had a life of privilege. Even the heirs to the throne have a life of privilege that the 'weight' of their duties comes nowhere near justifying, but that is even more true for senior royals who have little or no expectation of becoming monarch.

He lived the life of a playboy - remember 'Randy Andy' and 'Airmiles Andy' and later the tales of Fergie and him living it up when they first got together, ordering 8 course meals at Buckingham Palace for themselves and their mates when they got back from clubbing at 1am?

He's made no attempt to justify his existence - at least the likes of Anne, Edward, Charles and Camilla seem to have some sense of duty to the public, even if their duties fall far short of what most of us would deem full-time work. Even Harry has been involved with noticeable charity work through Invictus and the landmines charity.

Andrew - what has he done? Nothing. Absolutely zilch.

It's not in the least 'indisputable'. France doesn't struggle for overseas tourism and it decapitated its monarchs quite some time ago, and then dispensed with its monarchy again more permanently after a brief 19thc blip.

Versailles, the Tuileries, and the various Loire chateaux aren't exactly seeing tumbleweeds roll through despite the absence of living royals inhabiting them.

fair points, but it would certainly be lots less $$ from tourism etc overall , that is indisputable

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I’ve been through tonnes of therapy, as has my DSis, who was also abused. We both suffer from complex PTSD, but we’ve both built good lives for ourselves, with our own families.

It helps that our F is long dead, though it’s hard that, like VG’s father and all those other men who abused her, he never faced justice. Neither did any of our other abusers. So sadly, I’m disgusted but not surprised that there’s been no justice for her or Epstein’s other victims.

Maybe there will be some form of justice now, if AMB is convicted of Misconduct in Public Office, but I have my doubts on that score.

Some of the excuses from the apologists are insane. On one thread someone said that no one had the perfect family.

I mean I've never claimed too, but certainly last time I checked no one in my immediate or even extended family had been accused of having sex with a trafficked woman and then paid them a multimillion pound settlement, had a long and continuing friendship with someone convinced of child sex abuse and trafficking and now been arrested for misconduct in a family office.

On another thread an AWM apologist wrote that if any of us had emails from 20 plus years aired in public then we would find some that would make us hang our heads in shame, there but for the grace go all of us etc.

I can find e-mails in my old Yahoo account going back to 2004 and funnily enough none of them pertain to criminal activity and abuse. Most people said or did cringeworthy stuff when they were younger but AWM’s behaviour falls well beyond ‘embarrassing’.

And I wish people would stop claiming that the poor man was used and manipulated by more intelligent and darker forces as if he’s a victims in all this.

Yes, țhey are all vile. But I do think OP has a point. He was brought up in such a stupid way that he probably has no idea how normal, decent people think and behave.

@HawkinsLabsColdwarEra
First, they provide a focus for national identity, unity, and stability. The monarch acts as head of state in a non-political role, offering continuity through traditions like the State Opening of Parliament, Remembrance Sunday, or Christmas broadcasts. This helps unite people across divides, especially in tough times, and gives a sense of shared history and pride.
This is a matter of opinion. All of those events you specify, would happen with or without a Monarchy.

Your paragraph on tourism is a total myth. You know that really, but it is a favourite of royalists.
No one comes to the UK expecting to see a Royal. All our historical and stately buildings and palaces would still be there if there was no Monarchy. In fact there is an argument that revenue would be far exceeded if the 29 royal estates, palaces, and buildings owned by the Crown Estate which, incidentally, is not the Monarch's private property, could be opened for tourism.

Royal patronages. Have a careful read of this. Having a royal patron does not help a charity apart from, perhaps a feel good element. It doesn't increase donations, and more often than not Royals are not even involved with the charities they are patrons of!
https://giving-evidence.com/2020/07/16/royal-findings/

Finally, on the global stage, they deliver soft power and diplomacy. State visits, hosting world leaders, and Commonwealth ties build relationships, open trade doors
That worked well for Andrew didn't it?

As for finances, I would be here all day if I answered that question. Just think of the poor cash strapped councils who have to shell out for security when a Royal turns up for a PR exercise. Security is an unknown cost be thought to be up to £150million. There is far more I could say on this but I am trying to be brief.

many argue the cultural, economic, and diplomatic returns far outweigh it.
Who are 'many'? Who are these people? Polls which are oft quoted on here show support for the Monarchy at 62%. Bear in mind that is 12 points away from half the country not interested in them.

You seem to argue that monarchy is essential to tradition or cultural identity. But national identity is not static. Countries reinvent themselves all the time—through art, values, shared history, and civic pride. A nation can celebrate its past without needing a hereditary institution to define its future.

Please don't bother to pick apart my answers. It's boring for everyone else and this way, we have both had a chance to put out our lengthy arguments. And we can agree to disagree in a polite manner if we stop now.

On another thread an AWM apologist wrote that if any of us had emails from 20 plus years aired in public then we would find some that would make us hang our heads in shame, there but for the grace go all of us etc.

I can find e-mails in my old Yahoo account going back to 2004 and funnily enough none of them pertain to criminal activity and abuse. Most people said or did cringeworthy stuff when they were younger but AWM’s behaviour falls well beyond ‘embarrassing’.

And I wish people would stop claiming that the poor man was used and manipulated by more intelligent and darker forces as if he’s a victims in all this.

heres a basic summary :

The British royal family contributes to the UK in several key ways that go beyond just ceremony.

First, they provide a focus for national identity, unity, and stability. The monarch acts as head of state in a non-political role, offering continuity through traditions like the State Opening of Parliament, Remembrance Sunday, or Christmas broadcasts. This helps unite people across divides, especially in tough times, and gives a sense of shared history and pride.

Second, they boost the economy, particularly through tourism. Places like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London (with the Crown Jewels) draw millions of visitors—many overseas tourists list royal sites as must-sees. Studies estimate the monarchy adds hundreds of millions annually in tourism revenue, plus knock-on effects for hotels, shops, and brands linked to "royal" prestige (think Royal Warrants boosting sales).

Third, they support a huge range of charities and voluntary work. Working royals are patrons of over 1,000 organisations, highlighting causes from mental health and the environment (like Prince William's Earthshot Prize) to humanitarian aid. They complete thousands of engagements yearly, shining a spotlight on community efforts, local heroes, and issues that matter.

Finally, on the global stage, they deliver soft power and diplomacy. State visits, hosting world leaders, and Commonwealth ties build relationships, open trade doors, and promote British values and culture without getting into party politics—something elected leaders can't always do as freely.

The official cost (via the Sovereign Grant) is around £1-2 per person yearly, funded from Crown Estate profits rather than direct taxes in a straightforward way. While debates exist about the full picture (including security), many argue the cultural, economic, and diplomatic returns far outweigh it. Overall, the family represents the UK in a unique, enduring way that few other institutions could match.

None of us is without our secrets and peccadilloes- just thank god that what you've done and said in the past will remain there

I certainly have things in my past that I don't want aired in public, none of them are criminal though.

Have you read any of the information coming out from the Epstein emails?
Experts were asked how can we make babies suck harder, play recordings of their mothers voices was the reply. That's just one example of how sick and depraved epstein and his friends are.

Do you have children? Look at them, babies and think of the toddlers, young children, pre teens and women were tortured, mutilated, raped and murdered on that island.

I'll save my sympathy for the victims of pedophiles not the pedophiles themselves.

Yes, țhey are all vile. But I do think OP has a point. He was brought up in such a stupid way that he probably has no idea how normal, decent people think and behave.