THE Prince of Wales moved decisively to end the debacle over Prince Andrew’s civil sex assault case to avoid lasting damage to the monarchy.
The Duke of York had promised to fight to clear his name in court after being accused by Virginia Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions when she was 17.
But Prince Charles, supported by the Queen, made it clear to his younger brother that for the sake of the institution they serve he had to settle with his accuser before it went to court.
It means there will be no civil trial, and Andrew will not have to give evidence under oath or in front of a jury.
It is understood a sworn deposition which Andrew was due to make on March 10, ahead of a thanksgiving service for Prince Philip next month, was the final straw.
A senior member of the Royal Household told the Standard: “The Prince of Wales and the Queen could not countenance another disastrous appearance by the Duke of York, in light of his BBC interview. Decisive action was needed. There was little choice. He had to see sense.”
Another senior palace source added: “The prospect of the duke being cross-examined on screen by legal interrogators filled the Prince of Wales and Her Majesty and other senior royals with dread.” The fallout from that BBC interview by Emily Maitlis in November 2019 — that Andrew informed the Queen had gone well before it aired — saw him withdraw from public duties after he was widely criticised for failing to show remorse for his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and little empathy with the sex offender’s victims.
この記事は Evening Standard の February 16, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Evening Standard の February 16, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
