Ducking for cover: Andrew
He’s always been the Queen’s favourite son, from his Falklands War service, for which she regards him a hero, to his take-charge approach in rescuing priceless artefacts while Windsor Castle burned in 1992.
But palace sources say it’s getting ever harder for
Her Majesty to shield Prince Andrew (59) from growing pressure to front up to US authorities over his connections to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as it emerged last week he has “provided zero cooperation” to the FBI – despite publicly promising that he would.
In a press conference last week, US Attorney Geoffrey Berman revealed that federal prosecutors have contacted the prince’s legal team, but have not received a response.
“To date, Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation,” he said, adding, “Jeffrey Epstein couldn’t have done what he did without the assistance of others, and I can assure you the investigation is moving forward.”
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the latest development but a source from within the palace confirms that “the issue is being dealt with by the Duke of York’s legal team”.
Andrew has always denied direct knowledge of his former friend’s offending, despite accusations from victims, which include allegations the prince was himself involved.
Since the scandal broke last year, the Queen has tried to keep Andrew close, despite ordering him to step down from royal duties.
“While his public life as a working royal was dismantled, domestically things could not be closer,” says royal writer Richard Kay. “Nevertheless, the impact of these latest developments on the Queen will be immense.”
Andrew can’t be forced to talk to US authorities while he stays in the UK so he may be sitting tight and avoiding travel across the Atlantic.
‘The impact of these latest developments on the Queen will be immense’