So William is taking control of Palace response to Andrew scandal

[ShenandoahRiver]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-andrew-royal-lodge-virginia-giuffre-latest-news-b2850570.html

To be fair, this describes Thames Water 💦.

But agree - outrageous.

At the very least, a Parliamentary intervention resulting in severe sanctions for A might just keep the RF on their toes, and realise that we are a Democracy and Parliament is paramount, not the house of Windsor. Any of them could be next if they act out of line, that would be a great incentive for the RF to behave and be accountable to us.

I agree with pp that this is a pivotal moment for the democratic nature of the country. Either Parliament rules by our democratic vote, or the RF does without. Parliament should take note and do something. I really hope some clever journo will point out how outrageous the (in)actions of Parliament are, fudged as they are to try and hoodwink the people.

Truly awful.

I would have thought Parliamentary involvement would be more concerned with Andrew's "work" as a trade envoy.

@HilaryThorpe
Hopefully the decision to seal those files will be revisited. Maybe that is something William might give some thought to...

From the Independent this morning...

Prince Andrew’s coat of arms banner has reportedly been removed from its position in Windsor Castle in a fresh blow for the royal.
The ceremonial banner bearing the prince’s heraldic insignia is no longer up in St George's Chapel, the Mirror has reported.
This normally only happens in situations like when someone commits high treason or takes up arms against the Crown.

@HilaryThorpe Given that there will have been ministers responsible for his work as a trade envoy, it's not very surprising that parliament as a whole has been reluctant to go there.

I think it is fairly clear from the Lowrie book that it was more complex than that. The official UKTI business was separate from personal visits to nearby countries.

William may or may not be taking a stand now that there is more bad PR but he and his wife were perfectly happy to be around Andrew

If he is doing anything now it's in response to public opinion not because he has principles

people.com/kate-middleton-prince-william-prince-andrew-drive-church-balmoral-7853385

Its all about PR remember how it took media and the public for him to reduces the rent he charges NHS only because of the optics

100%

He is clearly sensitive to public criticism. Which is something I guess

But it's also very clear that left to his own devices, he would not have done anything

I know he has reduced rents for grass-roots organisations such as charities, but didn't think he has for public bodies, especially as there are procurement rules for organisations such as the NHS etc.

Does anyone have a link?

That doesnt explain the 100 year sealing of documents. Who will even care what a government minister did in 2010 in 20 years? The 100 years is clearly designed to give plausible deniability to the Monarch who could, by 2065 can say ' I was a child then/wasnt born. Nothing to do with me!

Yes if the Queen had spent less time worrying about who was bowing to who in order of rank in private and in their own homes and gatekeeping who was wearing what coloured tights and nail varnish and more time actually keeping her family in line, they wouldnt have to hide so much away now.

What makes you think the Queen is remotely bothered about those things? The Daily Mail?

They could do a deal, swap Andrew with that woman who killed a young man and was then spirited away by America before she could face prosecution.

Don't the entire family need a wake up call? Actions (or inactions) have consequences, such as they do for ordinary mortals.

That's what people would like to see I believe, whether monarchist or republican. Accountability.

But they are not a democratic entity. Who voted for them? No one. But who pays for a chunk of their activities and wealth procurement? Us.

Great, that'll show him 🙄

The current Queen no. The Late Queen who seemed to have arbirary petty rules for women but let her son do what he liked, did.

The Mail on Sunday has dished the dirt on the RF. They published the infamous photo back in 2010.
When Zara Phillips denied getting £200,000 from the Chinese businessman Johnny Hon they were able to prove that she was lying - she then admitted receiving the moolah.
The Mail certainly seems to have the inside track on the goings on.

Andrew is not the only member of the RF cosying up to the Chinese..

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14218019/Fergie-Zara-paid-hong-kong-tycoon-link-china-shady-network.html

And now andrew is being offered the use of a castle and the offer of legal council to prove his innocent?

He'll be 'hopping mad' I expect 😂

No one seems to be handling this affair very well. It was a bad decision to let Andrew release his own statement. Anyone could have predicted how self serving and lacking in remorse it would be. The palace should have released the statement and made sure to centre the victims.

The government are failing to read the public mood by refusing to remove the titles officially. They seem to believe we are an absolute rather than a constitutional monarchy. It was understandable in the reign of the late Queen when politicians seemed to get stuck in a 1950s deference. But this is 21st Century and I at least expect the Government to remove titles parliament signed off on.

Of course William is going to get dragged into it, like aniseed in a fox hunt. Everyone is trying to hide behind his popularity ignoring the fact that this is a matter for King and parliament. What happens now isn't anything to do with him.

Whilst I didn't exactly like the People's Princess narrative when Diana died and I didn't agree with every decision made, the Government of the day at least provided clear guidance. At the moment everyone is flailing around.

Remove the titles
"Persuade" Andrew to leave Royal Lodge
Learn lessons going forward.

So agree with this - bet the RF are worried sick we will all demand a referendum on whether we should have a RF. The firm knows the King isn't particularly popular especially compared to William - so they're out to make William look the like hero of the hour etc.

The Andrew Scandal provides perfect evidence of why we shouldn't have a RF for many...

Well, this is where the democratic republic of the US has been of the Epstein papers release since July thanks to our democratically elected officials:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405