Shocked Sarah…
Agitated Andrew & that Balmoral summit
Last Wednesday, Prince Andrew made his second bolt to Balmoral in recent months – for what was reported to be the second recent crisis talk with his mother, the Queen.
He made the 500-mile journey from Windsor’s Royal Lodge to the Scottish private estate, accompanied by his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Could it be, as it has been suggested, that it is to avoid any further attempts to serve sexual assault papers at his mansion back in Windsor? Although, it is not unusual for Andrew to visit Balmoral at this time of year.
Either way, it must be a topic of concern and conversation, at least, between the hassled-looking Duke and Duchess.
Seen in a Range Rover leaving Windsor, Andrew, 61, looked rather wide-eyed and agitated – while the ever-loyal mother of his daughters, with whom he still lives, looked a little shocked.
The Duchess of York – though divorced from him since 1996 – has stood by Andrew during the controversies. During a recent visit to Poland, the 61-yearold said she still stood by her marital vows, declaring that ‘divorce is one thing, but my heart is my oath’.
Last week’s trip came just days ahead of a sex abuse case involving the Queen’s son, heard on Monday at a New York court. Andrew is facing allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, who claims the Duke sexually assaulted her when she was 17.
According to Ms Giuffre, she was forced by Epstein to have sex with the Duke on three occasions between 2000 and 2002 – claims the Royal has always categorically refuted.
The 61-year-old has not responded to the Giuffre lawsuit launched a month ago in New York, accusing him of ‘rape in the first degree’.
His journey to the estate so beloved by the Royals will have interrupted a stay at the 50,000acre estate which, for Her Majesty, has traditionally represented a carefree break from the heavy burden of all regal responsibilities.
The last time the Queen’s son was seen making the trip was in early August, with other senior Royals – including his brother, Prince Charles, and daughter, Princess Eugenie – as they gathered for purported ‘crisis talks’.
According to rumours printed in one newspaper, the Prince had been ‘going stir-crazy’ at home in Windsor in recent weeks, not partaking in his usual activities, such as horse-riding.
But spare a thought for distraught Sarah, always by her troubled ex-husband’s side. She must be utterly terrified at what the future may hold.
His journey will have interrupted Her Majesty’s stay