Britain's Prince Andrew is mired in a sexual assault scandal that has severely damaged the royal family's image. Buckingham Palace announced on the 13th that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, has given up all military ranks, royal titles and royal sponsorship, and will carry out sexual assault lawsuits in the United States as "ordinary citizens".
Buckingham Palace statement said Prince Andrew's military title and royal patron status had been returned to the Queen. associated press
Roberts, an American woman, went to the New York District Court last year and claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom as a minor, and filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew. Roberts' lawyer rejected Andrew's application to withdraw the case on the 12th after the court rejected it, saying that she could not only accept money to solve the case, but to seek justice for herself and other victims.
According to Reuters, Buckingham Palace announced on the 13th that Prince Andrew gave up his military title and charity position as a royal patron. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "With the Queen's approval and consent, the Military Title and Royal Patron status of the Duke of York have been returned to the Queen and will be prosecuted as an ordinary citizen for sexual assault in the United States." A royal source revealed that Andrew will no longer use the title of "His Highness" in any official capacity, and that his other roles in the royal family will be assigned to other members of the royal family and will not be returned to Andrew.
The driving force behind the scenes is suspected of being Charles's father and son
According to the Daily Mail, Royal family sources said that after Andrew could not persuade the judge to dismiss the civil lawsuit for relations with the minor, the royal family discussed extensively and made this quick and decisive decision. Andrew's brother, Crown Prince Charles, and Prince William, Charles's eldest son, made this suggestion, and the Queen made the decision.
Sources say: "The survival of the royal system is at stake. In the end, Buckingham Palace completely cut the royal family from Andrew's scandal with a short two-sentence statement. Other sources said the decision was "heartbreaking" for the queen because Andrew was her favorite son.
According to reports, Andrew was summoned by the Queen on the 13th, accompanied by his personal lawyer Gary Bloxsome, to drive to Windsor Castle. This is the first time he has appeared outside since the United States ruled that Andrew was convicted of a civil lawsuit accused of sexual assault.
However, Brossom was barred from the castle and could only sit in the car and wait, while Andrew entered the castle and talked to the queen for 90 minutes. William is said to have been in Windsor castle that day.
Andrew, the ninth in line to the British throne, is a former naval helicopter pilot who fought in the 1982 Falklands War. In 2019, during a disastrous television interview, Andrew tried to defend his relationship with the infamous late American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. After the visit aired, Andrew was strongly criticized by the British public and forced to resign from the royal family.
Andrew may be on trial by the end of the year
Roberts, 38, filed a civil lawsuit in The Federal District Court in Manhattan, New York, last year alleging andrew sexually assaulting her in 2001 when she was under the age of 18. "I'm going to hold Prince Andrew accountable for what he's done to me, and for the actions of the powerful and rich," she said. I hope that other victims can do justice for ourselves without living in silence and fear. ”
The court ruled on the 12th that Roberts' lawsuit against Prince Andrew can continue. Prince Andrew could face trial between September and December this year. Roberts' lawyer, Boyce, said after the judge's sentencing that Roberts could not accept money alone to settle the case, saying: "I believe she still has no real decision at the moment, but I think she wants to get a fair settlement for her and other victims." ”