Palace PR strategy in the wake of AMW-Epstein scandal

[Asmuchastheypossiblycan]

I’ve just seen who I think was a Sky news reporter, reporting on the King’s visit to the Colchester area today, laying out what is obviously the current BP PR strategy in the light of reason developments in the AMW-Epstein scandal.

She said that the Palace wanted it to be made very clear that the RF are very much not ignoring this story and wanting it to go away, and referred her back to Edward’s words about the victims earlier in the week.

But that their policy nonetheless was going to be carry on with their engagements as usual, as they have faced difficulties before, and will do so again.

I’ve no doubt that this is difficult for KC and family but AIBU to think that in the light of what has happened, and the covering up of ALW’s financial and sexual wrongdoings, this isn’t really good enough?

Surely it’s not right that AMW is above the law?

Also, a man in the crowd shouted out a question to KC about whether AMW would be investigated, and two policeman moved him away!

Last time I looked, I thought we lived in a democracy which welcomes free speech?

Why aren’t reporters and members of the public allowed to air their views on this situation and express that AMW should be investigated?

Otherwise isn’t the Palace PR strategy in reality advocating “one rule for them and a different one for us?”

Indeed, the blatant gaslighting and hypocrisy are becoming increasingly difficult to stomach.

I suspect the royal PR strategy of just staying schtum and hoping the storm passes just isn't going to wash this time around, when PMs, former ministers, and former presidents are being blasted left, right and centre over their links with Epstein, direct or indirect.

Remember "Recollections may vary?" Sounded like such a stroke of PR genius for some, at the time. Many, including on these boards, dined on it for years and years. Well it's come back to bite the royals in the posterior, as it's pretty obvious that they simply could not have NOT known what was going on with Andrew, Fergie and Epstein, in their own palaces including Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Royal Lodge.

Who knew what, when? Recollections, are not just varying at this point, they're needing life support.

I doubt that the general public is going to accept that. The royals will take a hit, particularly among some tranches of the population who aren't fans of double-standards and hypocrisy.

Spot on TallerSally, great post, I agree with every word!

I felt quite angry watching the news and I am not one to usually rant at the tv!

I very much agree that saying nothing and carrying on will not be enough this time.

And I think it’s appallingly disrespectful to the victims if that is their PR strategy to be honest!

Also, it kind of assumes that we, the general public, are rather stupid.

“We say we are not ignoring this but in reality we are trying our best to do just that.”

😡

What do you think they should be doing?

And I don't mean for their own PR. But morally and ethically what would be the correct thing to do?

paying tax, releasing Andrews trade envoy papers and abolishing the Monarchy, for a start

I like the idea of the public rebelling and heckling the shit out of the royal family whenever they appear until we grind them down into abdication 🤣

Unless people do something they’ll try and ignore. They’ve weathered many storms and will probably see this as one more. Large portions of the public love to hate young women so they’ll have a solid fan base to rely on

I saw the Sky News report today about the King in Colchester and it was chilling. The reporter essentially admitted the BP strategy is to carry on as usual while referencing Edward’s victims comment as a sort of moral shield. But the real story was the man in the crowd who actually asked if Andrew would be investigated, he was hauled away by police instantly. Weird think that in a democracy, asking for the law to be applied to a Royal shouldn't result in being removed? It feels like the PR strategy isn't just carrying on, it’s actively suppressing the public's right to ask why one man and this family is seemingly above the law.

That sounds very much like an ant monarchy stance. Which is fine. Lots of people have felt that way for years.

But you refer to the AMW/Epstein 'scandal' what I see is a large number of young women abused by Epstein and his 'friends' who need justice. That prosecuting every single one of the men and women involved and the abusers compensating their victims should be a priority. Not using it as a stick to beat the monarchy, that can come later once those women have been heard and given justice. First from the abusers, second from the enablers.

If someone shouts something at a politician it's generally ignored by the police.
Is there a specific law which means people aren't allowed to shout/question the royal family? or is this just laws being ignored for them (again)?
If there is, then it needs changing.
If there isn't, then free speech should be allowed consistently.

Even without the Epstein outrage, I'm of the opinion that these public "engagements" are becoming such an embarrassment, and they are an insult to our intelligence. Imagine grown people playing at working by cutting a ribbon or waving to a crowd.

I'm done with them all. Gaslighting is right.

A stranger shouting something that could be considered inflammatory at the King (or one of the senior royals) is going to be taken seriously by the police as it could be a security threat. No-one wants to be responsible for an injured / dead King because they assumed it was just a member of the public exercising their right to free speech.

The PR teams actual strategy

Thank you, that was exactly how it struck me, but you have described it much better!

The man was shouting a simple question, not wielding a weapon! I think the police are trained to differentiate between the two!

the facade has cracked....this time , too much , exposing what is inside

I think the RF is losing a lot of respect. People are expressing their dissatisfaction/dislike etc. of them far more vocally now. That wasn't always the case. Social media wasn't as prevalent during a lot of HMQE's reign, and anyhow (until the payoff anyway) she commanded a certain amount of respect from all sides. I don't think Charles has that level of respect, and I feel William is wishy washy and I doubt anyone will care too much about him either TBH.

Meanwhile, the gravy train keeps on trucking regardless. So they don't care do they?

You’re a security expert right? You can immediately tell the difference between a planned distraction masking a genuine threat versus a stranger shouting? Of course you can. Whereas lesser mortals may decide better safe than sorry as an injured/dead King is career-ending for those held responsible for his protection.

I think that we need to see justice done in our own legal jurisdiction irrespective of what is happening in the US.

In answer to your question about what the RF should be doing morally and ethically; I think the RF and the establishment in general need to take a lead in investigating AMW - both his alleged SA and his alleged criminal financial activities - and stopping the cover up, be open and transparent, call officially for the Trade Envoy papers to be made available to the public as they should be, and to turn over every bit of evidence held by palace staff, including reports from politicians, diplomats and intelligence sources brought to the late Queen’s attention about AMW wrongdoings, evidence from personal protection personnel and any logs they possess, and get ahead of the investigation and facilitate it going ahead, rather than dragging their feet as they always do.

You know what victims want? Justice. To be heard, And to believed,

The RF should facilitate this and not hinder the process.

Had you ever thought they don't help the investigation because they are also compromised?

If other members of this family had nothing to hide, they’d be leading the charge for transparency rather than having to be dragged into it by the US courts. The fact that they've spent years blocking the Trade Envoy paper points that silence is their only defense. A clean person would want the truth out to clear their name and help the victims; the fact they’re still dragging their feet tells you everything you need to know about what’s in those files.

They should do this, all the adult members of the royal family. Cooperate. Tell the police what - if anything - they saw and heard.

The danger for them is that Andrew and his absurd ex wife know a great deal of royal gossip and could spill the tea on affairs, illnesses, arguments etc.

I don’t need to be a security expert to be certain that members gathered to see a member of the RF will be shouting out lots of things.

Protection officers and police are trained to continually make split second decisions about who is a threat, and who is not.

This.

Trouble is Andrew KNOWS too many secrets of Charles, Camilla, Anne and so does Sarah so they don’t want to wind them up

but they should

There is always that risk but arrangements can be made to redact personal information unrelated to the investigation.

Arrangements can be made for judges to hold closed hearings on occasion.

If the will is there, all of these obstacles can be managed.

And frankly, the sooner the RF learn that the best PR is to live decently and within the law, the better.

Absolutely this, yes!

It's now becoming apparent that the late Queen knew exactly what Andrew was up to, as did the rest of the family. And he faced zero consequences for it. Now he's been booted out of Royal Lodge and had his title removed - but he'll still live in absolute luxury for the rest of his life. Are those consequences?

For the first time, I'm really not sure how a Monarchy can survive in the age of media we now live in without being squeaky clean. And the house of Mounbatten Windsor would appear to be anything but.