..to find the pictures of Prince Andrew..

[BertrandRussell]

...sitting next to the Queen in the car in the way to Church deeply distasteful? I suppose all our institutions are corrupt if you look under the surface, but this is so blatant. How do Monarchists defend it?

The bit I found particularly interesting in his statement is, “any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors”, depending on how you read it could mean an admission of impropriety with a minor who is not underage.

YES. It’s as if the technicality of her age and where it happened is the crux of the issue when the fact that she and others were basically sex trafficked is really it. She was above the age of consent so it’s all fine and he’s a lovely man after all, phew!

seaweedandmarchingbands

It depends where it happened, legal in the UK is not legal everywhere.

Prince Andrew hasn't been accused of rape.

^

Nope. And chances are he won't be, will he?

sashh

True. We don’t actually know that he laid a finger on anyone sexually, but yes, if he did, and the girl was legally underage in the context in which the act took place, he should obviously be held accountable.

Not seen these pics but would have thought they'd have known better.

Trying to desperately sweep it all under the carpet and through the hatch into the cellar aren't they? Not going to work though is it?

however factually he is a legally innocent man sitting in a car with his elderly mum on the way to church.

Factually it is a very public display of advocacy from a head of state!

Why is he not being crucified in the press? In the way that Duke and Duchess of Sussex were for not revealing the names of their son’s godparents. Why is it one law for him and a different one for others?

It’s also worth pointing out that Eugenie has not posted on her Instagram profile since 8th August. I’d imagine she must have faced a barrage of comments about her father.

It’s also worth pointing out that Eugenie has not posted on her Instagram profile since 8th August. I’d imagine she must have faced a barrage of comments about her father.

It was her 18th where Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, Prince Andrew and Michael Jackson were photographed. The pics were shopped around the UK media but price tag was apparently very high, which is why they haven't appeared. Blind Gossip has been writing about this for a while.

An abused child is an abused child, no matter whether they are paid or not and regardless of the amount paid.

That person was over 20 at the time. Not a child.

I do feel a bit sorry for Princess Eugenie, I have to say. Only the second adult royal person. I have ever felt sorry for!

@Wildorchidz why not indeed. Could it be that the Sussexes are being used as cannon fodder for the press to try and divert attention from Andrew? Plus it's much easier to have a go at someone for being hypocritical than it is to suggest Andrew was doing the same as Epstein which would potentially bring the full force of the law and the Palace machine down on your head.

When were the pictures taken?

Of Andrew and her Maj? Yesterday.

It’s OK, I found them. Taken yesterday.

Hmm. There’s only one I see where Andrew is grinning. HM not smiling except at crowds. Are there others?

If I were Andrew I would be keeping a very low profile. It’s true nothing seems to be sticking either because the allegations are untrue or he’s got a very clever brief.

The broader question is why on Earth, just as a human being, you’d chose to remain friends with a convicted peadophile. The just eludes me. Not simply because I’d find such a person despicable, but because by continuing to associate your behaviour and judgement will without doubt be questioned.

I agree, OP. Usually the Queen looks quite grim and unsmiling in the car of her car. That she should be apparently beaming, given the circumstances, with PA beside her brazening it out, is odd to say the least.

...in the BACK of her car

I think it was a clear ("political") decision on the part of HM to have Andrew with her on both occasions. They've been covering up poor behaviour for generations. The most important thing about the monarchy is that it continues, whatever individuals who happen to occupy those titles might get up to. So the message was: business as usual.

Andrew was seen back at Buckingham Palace today, so he could easily have skipped the PR charade yesterday.

There have been loads of articles and documentaries with plenty of people, some of whom worked behind the scenes or had contacts there, who have said that Andrew is the Queen's favourite son. I think those two occasions, especially yesterday's, of Andrew travelling with HM was her version of a shot across the bows. She's made it very clear where her loyalties lie - either to Andrew personally or to the institution of the monarchy. I think that her having done that, it would be very difficult for there to be any inquiry into Andrew's behaviour.

hoteltango the UK may not hold any formal inquiry, America and all the documents that will end up being publically available is an entirely different matter.

Having randy riding next to mummy shows she is supporting him... Which doesn't make a Turd of difference to what we all think

“Having randy riding next to mummy ”

I so hate that dismissive use of “mummy” when talking about a man’s relationship with his mother. Apart from that I agree with you!

Anybody else sick to death of the whole Epstein thing? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

Nope, @leaserspottedmummybird, I don't have that right. Something hideous has been covered up for years because the perpetrators were rich. I'm sure the people who were abused were 'sick to death' of it but me I like honesty and justice. We don't often see it through.

“Anybody else sick to death of the whole Epstein thing? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️”

No. Why would I be?

I agree, Disfordarkchocalate, that there'll be plenty of info revealed in the USA that will be available via the internet. But I daresay the media here will tread very carefully. Historically, that's what they've done in the past, e.g. Edward and Wallis. Even now, there's an uneasy collaboration by the media in reporting what the royals get up to. So I have doubts about what the average person will get to hear about the revelations from over there.

I used to have a lot of respect for HM. But I think she's made the wrong decision about this particular scandal. She should have told Andrew to keep a low profile; instead she's made it clear that he's untouchable.