What Prince William Reportedly Thinks Of Prince Andrew
In the past few years, Prince Andrew has had to answer for his connection to Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's prostitution ring. Earlier this year, The Mail on Sunday reported that Virginia Roberts Giuffre launched legal action against Prince Andrew, whom she accused of sexually assaulting her when she was only 17 years old in 2001, per Daily Mail.
According to Giuffre, she was allegedly "trafficked" by Prince Andrew in Epstein's Manhattan mansion and other locations. Giuffre also received compensation from Epstein in 2009 as a part of a separate lawsuit. Prince Andrew reportedly has until October 29 to respond to Giuffre's lawsuit. Currently, Giuffre is being questioned by officers while Prince Andrew and his legal team are reviewing evidence in the case.
"I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and the rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but one can reclaim her life by speaking out and demanding justice," Giuffre said via her lawyers in a statement to ABC News. For his part, Prince Andrew still denies Giuffre's claim. "I've said consistently and frequently that we never had any sort of sexual contact whatever," told the BBC in a 2019 interview, per ABC News.
Prince William apparently considers Andrew a threat to the royal family
Since becoming embroiled in the scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s, Prince Andrew has become a subject of controversy in the British media. Despite being raked over the coals in the British media in the past few decades, the royal family has had little to say on the matter — at least until now. Sources close to the royal family have told several publications in the past few days that key members of Prince Andrew's family have begun believing that he is a threat to the royal family and institution. "Nine months ago Charles, Anne, and Edward had a meeting, a summit, and agreed there was no way back for him," a source told The Sun on October 9.
Prince William is also critical of his uncle, believing that his attitude regarding the allegations to be especially problematic. "He is no fan of Uncle Andrew," a source told The Sunday Times. "Any suggestion there isn't gratitude for the institution, anything that could lead the public to think that senior members of the family aren't grateful for their position, (William thinks) is really dangerous."
At this point, the royal family has shut its symbolic doors on Prince Andrew and sources state that there is no likelihood that he will be supported by the royal family in the coming years.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).