Prince Andrew Thread 4

[Roussette]

I'm starting a new one as events seem to be moving again. Sorry I can't do a link to no. 3

Norman Baker who wrote the book "And What do You Do?" is on a panel here speaking a lot of sense, and there's agreement in principle...

twitter.com/LBC/status/1494051134209765380

Who are these 44 people on the balcony and why are we paying for them?

Andrew and Charles seem to think they're being clever by using useful people, when in fact they're the ones being used.

^^ Exactly this!

Labour MP Andy McDonald says he plans to raise the issue of Prince Andrew settlement and pay off in parliament to secure assurances no public money is used

I’m wondering whether Prince Charles paid the money to shut down the whole thing.

I’m thinking maybe the money was in return for the lease on Royal Lodge. William and Kate could move there, and Andrew somewhere away from public view

And that way they could claim the settlement was paid without the Queen's money being used.

@MotherofTerriers

I’m thinking maybe the money was in return for the lease on Royal Lodge. William and Kate could move there, and Andrew somewhere away from public view

If that's the case then I hope W & K like PA's taste in decor as PA allegedly spent £7.5 million on renovations to Royal Lodge when he moved there in 2004.

I thought W & K were looking at Fort Belvedere on the Windsor Estare though?

I think Fort Belvedere is leased to someone else, and is possibly too small

They were saying on the news yesterday that the Swiss chalet has not been sold. So that is not the source of any of the funds.

If that's the case then I hope W & K like PA's taste in decor as PA allegedly spent £7.5 million on renovations to Royal Lodge when he moved there in 2004.

Perhaps his dear friend Epstein assisted with the décor.

This MailOnline article today alleges that the Queen has personally stumped up £2m to Virginia Giuffre's charity.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10521161/Tell-Andrew-12m-Calls-grow-no-public-money-used-settlement.html

Reports are also saying Andrew will remain a Counsellor of State, retain his dukedom, and remain a Vice-Admiral. I wonder of Charles might have something to say about that when the time comes.

I would love it if, in the event that Andrew were on duty to take the salute somewhere, the troops marching past saluted someone else instead. Might set up a whole new tradition.

Basically, he’s not taking any responsibility for anything. The money is not being paid by him. He hasn’t admitted culpability. He’s lost his roles , yes. That just gives him more time to sit around doing nothing in his huge house doesn’t it?

I think he'll retain his dukedom, but I wouid like to see him ask to be removed as Counsellor of State. AFAIK, there is no provision to remove him, other than by Parliament, and if one went down that course, it wouid be much better all round if done at his request. And I think better done now, when the monarch is elderly and more in need of deputies

(Harry should also be removed for the duration of his residence overseas (there is provision to do that)).

I don't really care if he remains vice admiral or not. He won't be doing any duties in that role, so the only times he gets to dress up will be at his mother's funeral and his brother's Coronation. And he won't have any particular role in either, so hopefullymwill be lost in the background noise. Especially as it's quite possible thuse events could yet be four or five years into the future.

I can't see this being discussed in the HOC. When Keir Starker mentioned that the Queen was grieving alone whilst Boris partied Lindsay Hoyle shut him down, saying We do not discuss the Royal Family here.

Both sides who negotiated and agreed on the settlement should have thought about who is going to pay. If PA doesnt have personal money to cover it then obviously someone else would have to stump up. Hopefully it will be PA and the other men and acquaintances involved who seem to have got off lightly.I dont think they will discuss this in PMQs

Bottom line for me is.... if the Queen can pay out millions to get Andrew off the hook for a sex case, we are giving the RF too much money via the Sovereign Grant.

Its not from the Sovereign Grant

What's not?

Both sides who negotiated and agreed on the settlement should have thought about who is going to pay

Presumably if he can't find it all at once, he will have to agree a payment plan.

And then either go and work (as Fergie did) or sell assets (like the chalet) or use savings (how much did they get for Southyork? The buyer reputedly paid through the nose for it, so is it possible some is left?)

Or find someone to pay his debts for him.

@Roussette

What's not?

Presumably any contribution from HMQ.

It wouid show up in the accounts of the sovereign grant if a sum had been used in that way.

And there's no need to use that funding channel when others are available

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/16/duke-of-yorks-sexual-abuse-case-settlement-to-be-raised-in-parliament

The danger the Queen now faces is that when more ordinary people realise she's got so much money slushing around in her Duchy of Lancaster accounts, they'll think that maybe she shouldn't need the sovereign grant.

It's always dangerous for a monarchy when its 'subjects' start to ask questions.

And then either go and work (as Fergie did)

That would be a laugh. Inspirational talks maybe? How I Came Through My Personal Nightmare
or
You Too Could Live Like A Royal. (oh hang on... no, that won't work )

He did get a backhander for SouthYork gaff. The kazakthan oligarch paid £3M more than the asking price. Funny that...

Edith

No, I never thought it would come through the Sovereign Grant. The point I was making was... if, for instance, the Queen can lay her hands on say £10M just like that, we are paying them too much through the SG!

I thought the fail were speculating the queen has paid £2m but no idea where they got that story from