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Prince William reportedly urged King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth to “banish” former Prince Andrew after he attempted to defend his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.
“William was absolutely adamant after seeing that BBC ‘Newsnight’ interview with his uncle and the disastrous explanations that he gave for being friends with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,” royal author Russell Myers told Us Weekly.
“Refusing to apologize for his relationship and refusing to acknowledge the actual trauma of Epstein victims was an absolute red line for William.”
“He actually said to the late queen and his father [King Charles III], ‘He has to be banished. Andrew has to be rid of both the public and the private royal family,'” the “William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story” author claimed.
Myers explained that the bombshell news about Andrew’s involvement with Epstein, who died in 2019, and his recent arrest, “has been a stain on the royal family,” including his brother, King Charles, 77.
The writer explained that if William, 43, were king, then he “would have taken certain measures to have Andrew completely out of the picture.”
“William understands that his father needs to take the lead on this, and he’s willing to support him in any way he can,” Myers continued.
Reps for Buckingham Palace weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.
In 2019, the former prince, 66, sat down with the BBC and admitted he had no regrets about his past friendship with Epstein after the latter was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution.
“The reason being is that the people I met and the opportunities I was given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very useful.”
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Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles and duties due to his ties with Epstein last year, shared that the late pedophile’s New York City mansion “was a convenient place to stay.”
Additionally, the former Duke of York denied meeting the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claimed to be trafficked by Epstein when she was 17, despite being photographed with her.
“Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored, but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken,” he said.
Andrew, however, settled a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Giuffre for $12 million in 2022, two years before she died.
The disgraced royal was arrested on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, and accused of sharing confidential travel information with Epstein during his time in the UK trade envoy, which he served in from 2001 to 2011.
Police are also investigating allegations that Epstein trafficked a woman to the UK for Andrew’s sexual purposes.
If found guilty, he can face up to life in prison.
English (US)