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The royal family
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BoxingHare · 17/02/2026 14:48

DancingFerret · 17/02/2026 13:29

Portraits of the late Queen and Prince Philip adorned the walls of any number of public buildings when I was at school; the monarchy was part and parcel of our lives.

No-one (I hope) was daft enough to believe the RF was perfect, but Harry's revelations and AMW's despicable acts have tarnished, if not destroyed, the illusion which was part of many people's identity and effectively exposed the RF in all its tatty underwear.

I suppose Republicans will be pleased, but I have a sense of loss - not for the individuals, but for what was part of me; Britishness, if you like.

These days, cynicism rools okay. For that alone, I'd like to see AMW seeing out his days in Belmarsh or similar.

Government, parliament, and the head of state need a good shake up before that cynicism will dissipate, sadly. None of them feel truly trustworthy.

Craftysue · 17/02/2026 16:19

I see Sarah Ferguson has applied to have 6 of her companies wound down according to Companies house. How many pies did this woman have her fingers in?
AMW and Ferguson were married for 6 years,40 years ago and yet still live in each others pockets. They must have known what each other was up to with Epstein.
I'm about half way through the Lownie book and the pair of them are vile - although she wasn't implicated in the abuse of young women, surely she must have had an idea of Epstein's lifestyle especially after his conviction? I still don't understand why she didn't walk away and protect her reputation. Apparently she even contacted him while he was serving his jail sentence. Blackmail perhaps or just money meant more to her than anything else.
AMW and Mandelson should be charged with treason if it's shown they divulged secret information. I'm not holding my breath that either of them will face any court.
I'm just wondering what else is still to be revealed. The Royal family need to do better than the mealy mouthed statements they've released so far and that includes an apology for the statement about the legal action by Virginia Guffrie
As always I wish Virginia was still here to see AMW disgraced. RIp Virginia

ThePoshUns · 17/02/2026 16:34

It’s such a sad twist of fate that Virginiania isn’t here to see his downfall especially if he does end up in court. Fingers crossed.

RainbowBagels · 17/02/2026 16:54

OneBusyFinch · 17/02/2026 13:34

Yes, I’ve emailed him before about the Royals and he supports them. However, I felt it was still important to email him again. It may be futile but along with voting, it’s the only realistic form of protest open to us. It’s better than doing nothing and just moaning!

I agree completely. You go for it! I have a new MP who we've barely seen since 2024 (Labour)

feellikeanalien · 17/02/2026 17:41

If no prosecution goes ahead (and I'm not convinced it won't. There seems to be more and more emerging every day ) then couldn't a group like Republic bring a private prosecution ?

It's not an area of law I know much about but I know it has happened in the past.

I've just googled now and apparently under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 anyone can initiate proceedings in a magistrates court. How far that would get is of course another matter.

JSMill · 17/02/2026 17:47

SF didn’t walk away from Epstein because she’s a greedy bitch with absolutely no values or morals.

DancingFerret · 17/02/2026 17:49

JSMill · 17/02/2026 17:47

SF didn’t walk away from Epstein because she’s a greedy bitch with absolutely no values or morals.

Hard to argue with that.

wordler · 17/02/2026 18:06

feellikeanalien · 17/02/2026 17:41

If no prosecution goes ahead (and I'm not convinced it won't. There seems to be more and more emerging every day ) then couldn't a group like Republic bring a private prosecution ?

It's not an area of law I know much about but I know it has happened in the past.

I've just googled now and apparently under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 anyone can initiate proceedings in a magistrates court. How far that would get is of course another matter.

I don’t know if Republic would have the funds to make it happen - they might be able to crowd source it.

The evidence gathering alone would be astronomical in costs I imagine.

Mylovelygreendress · 17/02/2026 19:12

I simply cannot imagine a situation where AMW will not be prosecuted.
KC , W etc know that the monarchy is in a perilous state and action has to be taken .

Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/02/2026 19:20

The Royal family need to do better than the mealy mouthed statements they've released so far ...

Listening to the 6 o'clock news just now it seems the BBC have put a number of questions to them, @Craftysue, and they "no commented" every one of them

Personally I still believe they're hoping it'll all blow over and that silence will hurry this along, but time will tell

AlwaysRightISwear · 17/02/2026 19:36

I don't want to see an amateurish private prosecution which fails. It needs to be done properly.

Rhaidimiddim · 17/02/2026 19:48

feellikeanalien · 17/02/2026 17:41

If no prosecution goes ahead (and I'm not convinced it won't. There seems to be more and more emerging every day ) then couldn't a group like Republic bring a private prosecution ?

It's not an area of law I know much about but I know it has happened in the past.

I've just googled now and apparently under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 anyone can initiate proceedings in a magistrates court. How far that would get is of course another matter.

Or one of them judicial review things? I'd help Crowdfund one of them. I think it is so important for us as a nation to not let this become nothing-to-see.

Typos

ascenda · 17/02/2026 19:53

Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/02/2026 19:20

The Royal family need to do better than the mealy mouthed statements they've released so far ...

Listening to the 6 o'clock news just now it seems the BBC have put a number of questions to them, @Craftysue, and they "no commented" every one of them

Personally I still believe they're hoping it'll all blow over and that silence will hurry this along, but time will tell

Did BBC say WHO they asked these question of? Presumably not the King himself or any of the brood personally. So maybe we are still left with arse licking PR and legal lackeys running the show out front, while the rest of them sit back in the silent hope of it all running its course eventually, and all back to normal in a little while.

Craftysue · 17/02/2026 19:58

Yep I watched the news tonight - no comment. I think they're hoping it will all blow over,yet more seems to come out everyday. Apparently the police are now looking at Epstein's private flights into Stansted airport.

OneBusyFinch · 17/02/2026 20:00

Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/02/2026 19:20

The Royal family need to do better than the mealy mouthed statements they've released so far ...

Listening to the 6 o'clock news just now it seems the BBC have put a number of questions to them, @Craftysue, and they "no commented" every one of them

Personally I still believe they're hoping it'll all blow over and that silence will hurry this along, but time will tell

‘Declined to comment’

I really hope this is the beginning of the end of the whole rotten institution

Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/02/2026 20:02

No names or even departments mentioned, @ascenda - the BBC item just said they'd asked the palace, which probably meant the press office

And yes, leaving it for them to deal with may well be their tactic; after all it offers someone else to blame for whatever goes wrong, and this particular potato's so hot that I doubt they'll touch it themselves

wordler · 17/02/2026 20:02

ascenda · 17/02/2026 19:53

Did BBC say WHO they asked these question of? Presumably not the King himself or any of the brood personally. So maybe we are still left with arse licking PR and legal lackeys running the show out front, while the rest of them sit back in the silent hope of it all running its course eventually, and all back to normal in a little while.

I'd assume they spoke to someone in the BP press office. Not surprised at a no comment at this stage while lawyers are still pouring over what's come out and what Andrew knows which hasn't come out.

Although presumably he's engaged his own legal team who are probably advising not to talk to anyone about anything right now.

ascenda · 17/02/2026 20:15

wordler · 17/02/2026 20:02

I'd assume they spoke to someone in the BP press office. Not surprised at a no comment at this stage while lawyers are still pouring over what's come out and what Andrew knows which hasn't come out.

Although presumably he's engaged his own legal team who are probably advising not to talk to anyone about anything right now.

I wonder who he will tap for the legal fees if he is financially embarrassed. Honestly the ease with which these people can conjure up legal advice and counsel with little (obvious) source of funds amazes me.

King Charles I reckon.

myrtleWilson · 17/02/2026 20:28

Has AMW hired his own legal team? We know Mandelson is using Mischon de Reya.

OneBusyFinch · 17/02/2026 20:42

feellikeanalien · 17/02/2026 17:41

If no prosecution goes ahead (and I'm not convinced it won't. There seems to be more and more emerging every day ) then couldn't a group like Republic bring a private prosecution ?

It's not an area of law I know much about but I know it has happened in the past.

I've just googled now and apparently under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 anyone can initiate proceedings in a magistrates court. How far that would get is of course another matter.

Apologies if you’ve already seen it but Republic do want to bring a private prosecution.

www.republic.org.uk/

Mylovelygreendress · 17/02/2026 20:54

Craftysue · 17/02/2026 19:58

Yep I watched the news tonight - no comment. I think they're hoping it will all blow over,yet more seems to come out everyday. Apparently the police are now looking at Epstein's private flights into Stansted airport.

I cannot imagine they really think this will blow over .

ChoccyJules · 17/02/2026 21:03

I am away so haven’t had time to watch, but Channel 4 news have always been much braver in reporting other things than the BBC so I might have a look at how they are covering this thing.

bluegreygreen · 17/02/2026 21:28

KC3 has to be very careful with public comments - more so than is normal.

He is technically the source of justice - the courts are His Majesty's courts (one reason why he had to be seen to be very separate from PH while he was suing the Home Office). He can't say anything that might later be seen as being prejudicial to any proceedings.

I would expect that having made the very clear statement about supporting the police, any further statement would be along those lines and kept well away from any specifics about AMW for that reason.

RainbowBagels · 17/02/2026 21:37

ascenda · 17/02/2026 19:53

Did BBC say WHO they asked these question of? Presumably not the King himself or any of the brood personally. So maybe we are still left with arse licking PR and legal lackeys running the show out front, while the rest of them sit back in the silent hope of it all running its course eventually, and all back to normal in a little while.

Honestly surely they must be able to see that this has partly been caused by them keeping quiet and hoping it will all go away/ that someone else will cover for them? Are they really going to pretend this entire 20 year cover up is nothing to do with the rest of them and nothing to do with the way the Palace is run? They are just going to carry on getting their arses licked into oblivion?

bluegreygreen · 17/02/2026 21:40

bluegreygreen · 17/02/2026 21:28

KC3 has to be very careful with public comments - more so than is normal.

He is technically the source of justice - the courts are His Majesty's courts (one reason why he had to be seen to be very separate from PH while he was suing the Home Office). He can't say anything that might later be seen as being prejudicial to any proceedings.

I would expect that having made the very clear statement about supporting the police, any further statement would be along those lines and kept well away from any specifics about AMW for that reason.

By which I mean: any comment from him which appears to make an apology for AMW or assume his guilt in any way could be used by a lawyer in court - either for the prosecution to say he is clearly guilty, or for the defence to argue that he has no chance of a fair trial.

I'm not saying that either argument would be successful - but no one would want any chance of that happening.

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