Royal expert says tougher action is needed as new Epstein files renew pressure
King Charles III is under fire for the way he has dealt with his brother Prince Andrew, with a royal expert arguing that the disgraced former duke has only been “pseudo-stripped” of his status.
The criticism follows renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein after more court files were released. Speaking to The Mirror, royal commentator Afua Acheampong-Hagan said Andrew was effectively pushed aside rather than properly held to account.
She said his move from Royal Lodge to the Sandringham estate looked more like quiet exile than meaningful action. With more information emerging, she added that the royal family may be running out of ways to distance itself from him, particularly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested Andrew should appear before the US Congress.
“What more can you do to separate yourself from this story?” she asked, referring to the King’s approach. In her view, removing Andrew from public life and relocating him is not enough on its own.
Acheampong-Hagan also pointed to the earlier statement from Buckingham Palace, which said the family stood with survivors of abuse. While that showed where the palace wanted to be seen, she questioned whether it matched reality while Andrew remains financially supported and tied to the institution.
As the situation develops, she suggested the family may eventually need to go further, either by calling for real accountability or by admitting that Andrew was shielded for too long.
“There may come a point where they have to say more,” she said, adding that doing nothing could become harder to defend as pressure continues to build.
