Former Prince Andrew Arrested in Connection with Jeffrey Epstein Case
In a stunning development, former Prince Andrew was arrested early Thursday in the British countryside by Thames Valley Police on charges of misconduct in public life. The 66-year-old royal, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is now in custody, accused of directing highly secret government documents to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A Long History of Controversy
Andrew has long been associated with what many describe as a "sleazy" lifestyle, earning him the nickname "Air Miles Andy" in British tabloids for his frequent travels to the Middle East and western Asia. These trips, often as the U.K.'s trade representative, allegedly involved cozy relationships with despots and businessmen, raising suspicions about his motives and integrity.
His connection to Epstein dates back to at least 2000, when he was photographed with socialite Ghislaine Maxwell at Nello's restaurant in New York City. According to veteran reporter Annette Witheridge, this meeting was orchestrated to attract media attention, with Maxwell introducing Andrew to Epstein. The two men reportedly shared a penchant for younger company, leading to Andrew staying at Epstein's Manhattan mansion instead of the British consulate.
Allegations and Denials
One of the most damning pieces of evidence is a 2010 photo of Andrew and Epstein walking in Central Park, which contradicts Andrew's claims of having cut ties with the pedophile. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, is alleged to have provided underage girls to his wealthy associates, including Andrew.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a victim who was 15 when she was drawn into Epstein's circle, has accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations, calling the photo evidence fake and claiming he never met Giuffre. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth reportedly provided $20 million to settle Giuffre's lawsuit against her son.
The End of Royal Protection
With the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, Andrew lost a key protector. Barry Levine, a former National Enquirer editor, noted that Andrew's emails to Epstein after their alleged friendship ended reveal a disturbing camaraderie. In one exchange, Andrew joked about having "fun together" with Epstein, despite the financier's crimes.
Levine described Andrew as a "perverted Walter Mitty" who deserves disgrace, highlighting his negative charisma and repulsive behavior toward women. The arrest signals a likely end to Andrew's privileged life, with no allies left to shield him from justice.
As the case unfolds, Andrew faces the prospect of a lonely and shunned existence, with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson possibly facing similar scrutiny. The arrest underscores the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and the accountability of even the highest-profile figures.
