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Original poster

Prince Andrew's Birthday

268 replies

Nippybutsweet · 19/02/2020 14:06

AIBU to feel that it's insensitive for Westminster Abby to ring it's bells to celebrate Andrew's 60th?

OP posts:
KaptenKrusty · 19/02/2020 15:46

I still find it hilarious that the Royal family even exist tbh!! wtf

1forsorrow · 19/02/2020 15:47

Funny thing fame, for Caroline Flack it is all about how famous people get persecuted, for Prince Andrew it is all about how the rich and famous get away with everything.

With regards to the Queen do people think she should turn her back on him, is that what they'd do with their own kids?

LaurieMarlow · 19/02/2020 15:49

At the moment the only thing against him is his dodgy choice of friend

No.

The fact that he stuck with that friend and continued to hang out with him after he'd been convicted.

The fact that he couldn't bring himself to express any regret for the friendship or any empathy for the girls in question.

For starters.

LaurieMarlow · 19/02/2020 15:50

With regards to the Queen do people think she should turn her back on him, is that what they'd do with their own kids?

What she does in private is her own affair. Public indications of support and exceedingly ill judged.

Disfordarkchocolate · 19/02/2020 15:53

Andrew - Royal but not getting to do any work because he, at the very least, publically associates with convicted paedophiles.

Meghan and Harry - not royal, publically punished and happy to work.

The Queen is coming across very badly. I was a monarchist, I'm not now. I hope Charles makes some massive changes or we won't see King William.

Bluerussian · 19/02/2020 15:53

Star81 Wed 19-Feb-20 14:11:24
The thing is he’s not actually been found guilty or even charged with anything. There isn’t even an arrest warrant out for him. Therefore, from that point of view the normal should take place.

The fact though remains he have made very very questionable choices and this does need to be addressed. The relevant authorities are presumably dealing with this and all this trial by media isn’t helping. I would prefer the authorities to be allowed to do their job in the correct legal process without the crowd frenzy media storm. This doesn’t help anyone.
........
That's how I feel. We must also remember that Prince Andrew is very small fry in the Epstein business, there were much bigger fish who were more friendly and also influenced by him. - he was plausible. People like him always are. We know about Prince Andrew because he is a royal, if he was a professor or a big businessman, we'd probably not recognise the name amongst many.

Ringing the bells in honour of Andrew's sixtieth birthday doesn't affect us, it won't happen the next day.

The Queen can't win; if she had banished Andrew, people would ask how a mother could do that. As it is, she sees her son and they do ordinary things. She is probably worried about it all but believes his involvement - and knowledge - was minimal.

Let's wait and see.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 19/02/2020 15:54

Anything which brings a republic that bit closer is OK by me

Same here - I don't have any great hopes for it during my lifetime, but every little helps as they say

And while it's true Andrew's not been charged or convicted, I really don't need any tips on how to feel about someone who wilfully befriends a known paedophile (ditto his older brother, come to that) or a family who insist on public shows of support for them afterwards

Kimbaland · 19/02/2020 15:56

So Caroline Flack hadnt been found guilty and everyone is on the 'be kind' bandwagon.

Prince Andrew hasn't been charged or found guilty of anything. Isn't this the same thing?

Mlou32 · 19/02/2020 15:56

I think people would be wise to remember that he hasn't been found guilty of anything or even put on trial (as far as I'm aware). Perhaps we should save our condemnation once a trial goes underway and if he is found guilty following said trial.

SerendipityJane · 19/02/2020 15:57

I'd be curious if Airmiles Andys friends would show up if he ever needed a DBS check (or whatever they're called this week) ?

recrudescence · 19/02/2020 15:58

Anything which brings a republic that bit closer is OK by me

Strongly agree. And all these current arguments - whether they’re about Andrew or H&M - would disappear in a puff of smoke if we didn’t have an completely unnecessary royal family in the first place.

AnneOfTeenFables · 19/02/2020 15:59

The thing is he’s not actually been found guilty or even charged with anything. There isn’t even an arrest warrant out for him
This. We may think he's distasteful or his judgement lacking but that's never been a requirement for being a member of the RF or having bells rung on birthdays.
I don't think we can have it both ways. If it's important that we wait for due process and convictions then that has to apply even to unlikable people, even to people with questionable judgement. Otherwise, what we're saying is we'll choose who gets to wait for due process and that's the start of a slippery slope to 'we'll choose who has the right to a fair trial' and 'we'll choose who is allowed freedom of speech'. There are lots of people on the right and the left, who want to race down that path - pardoning people who assault people 'on the wrong side'; silencing people who they don't like. I don't think it's wise.

halcyondays · 19/02/2020 16:01

Is Andrew still getting money from the Civil List or whatever it’s called now?

1forsorrow · 19/02/2020 16:01

I'd be curious if Airmiles Andys friends would show up if he ever needed a DBS check (or whatever they're called this week Maybe some of the men he served with in the Falklands might, probably the ones he flew to safety.

You can twist a story many ways can't you. If he is hounded to suicide I wonder how many would suddenly think it had all gone too far?

HopeClearwater · 19/02/2020 16:02

Prince Andrew will never, ever be put on trial for anything so you can forget that ‘innocent until proven guilty’ malarkey right away.

ilovesooty · 19/02/2020 16:04

As I said he's an embarrassment who's presented very poorly for years. As his poor judgement regarding his friendship with a convicted paedophile has resulted in his withdrawal from royal duties I don't think public royal support for him is appropriate. The Queen can do what she likes behind closed doors for all I care but I have lost a lot of respect for her given her willingness to support him in public.

1forsorrow · 19/02/2020 16:04

Oh yes because the Americans do whatever we want so if the British royal family are involved they will just jump. Maybe the Queen could ask them to send that woman over who is accused of causing the accident that killed a young man. I'm sure she will be on the next plane.

Sagradafamiliar · 19/02/2020 16:08

Wow! I agree with the OP and the others who agree with her even though she disagrees about their agreement.

marashino · 19/02/2020 16:11

The Queen is well within her rights to celebrate her sons birthday.

She is, but that doesn't have to involve forcing people around London to suffer noise pollution as a result.

pigsDOfly · 19/02/2020 16:13

I think people would be wise to remember that he hasn't been found guilty of anything or even put on trial

This is true, but his behaviour and words, to say the least, have shown his utter contempt for the 'little' people involved in the whole Epstein issue.

He's behaved appallingly and has been forced, and no, he didn't go voluntarily, so forced, to step back from public duty as a royal. In view of this, why should bells be rung in celebration of such a person's birthday.

JustForTheTasteOfIt · 19/02/2020 16:13

Being Royal. Which means not giving a flying fuck what you. Or I. Or indeed anyone in the world thinks.

I would say you should try it sometime, but it turns out you can't.

She was agreeing with you OP.

In the first sentence it seems clear she meant you are absolutely right, they are only getting away with this because they are royal and don't care what anyone thinks.

In the second sentence she was agreeing with you again as it seems meant "but it turns out one can't just do what one wants unless they're a royal too"

None of it was directed at you - I see you perceived it that way but you were mistaken and hopefully can see that now and be kind too?

A sorry I was mistaken costs nothing especially when you've accused someone of being unkind when they weren't.

JustForTheTasteOfIt · 19/02/2020 16:14

First paragraph I guess, not just sentence.

Mockersisrightasusual · 19/02/2020 16:15

Are we thanking God for Prince Andrew?

Thanks for nothing, God.

I'd want a word with you about this if you existed, which luckily you don't.

SerendipityJane · 19/02/2020 16:15

I think people would be wise to remember that he hasn't been found guilty of anything or even put on trial

Well reading the papers of late, that doesn't appear to be necessary any more. I would hope that Prince Andrew has certainly been recorded of committing a non-crime. Which is perfectly OK, apparently.

SerendipityJane · 19/02/2020 16:16

I'd want a word with you about this if you existed, which luckily you don't.

Mark Thomas at his best Grin