Prince Andrew is facing renewed controversy surrounding his past associations with convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Claims by Monique Giannelloni, a former masseuse, allege inappropriate behavior by Andrew during a massage session, further straining his standing with the royal family.
Fox News reported that the allegations have led to increased distancing efforts from the royal family as Prince William and King Charles III express mounting frustration at the ongoing scandals.
Giannelloni's allegations against Prince Andrew date back to a massage appointment in 2000, organized by Ghislaine Maxwell at the iconic Buckingham Palace.
During the session, Giannelloni claims that Andrew behaved inappropriately, expressing a complete disregard for professional boundaries by undressing unexpectedly.
Giannelloni has documented her encounter with Andrew in a memoir, shedding light on what she describes as a privileged yet misguided sense of entitlement. Her account illustrates Andrew's dismissal of professional decorum, something she believes should be fostered among members of the royal family.
Moreover, Giannelloni recalls being invited to a VIP party on a boat by Maxwell, a proposition she intuitively declined due to suspicions about the nature of these gatherings.
Her decision to distance herself from Maxwell's circle illustrates an understanding of and disdain for the reputations of Maxwell and Epstein, which have increasingly sullied Andrew's own.
The associations in question continue to cause havoc on Andrew's reputation, especially with the public release of documents related to Epstein's activities. Although no new revelations were garnered from the papers, the existing allegations against Andrew remain a thorn in the royal family's side.
Prince Andrew's link with Maxwell and Epstein has long been a topic of public upset, leading to consequences within the royal family.
Both Prince William and King Charles III have publicly demonstrated their desire to dissociate from Andrew, accentuating their exasperation over the accumulating disgrace.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich has emphasized that Prince William, in particular, is eager for his uncle Andrew to withdraw from view entirely. King Charles III shares similar sentiments, having already encouraged Andrew to vacate his duties and relocate to a smaller, more discreet residence.
Increasingly, more voices within royal circles are calling for further action against Andrew, owing to these persistent scandals. Ian Pelham Turner noted that the pattern of controversy could lead Prince William and King Charles to consider more stringent measures.
The renewed allegations by Giannelloni echo past accusations, notably those from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Andrew of engaging in sexual conduct facilitated by Epstein.
Andrew sought to settle these allegations by providing a substantial charitable donation, but the damage to his image and position had already been done.
In response to the collective controversies, Andrew was compelled to resign from public duties in 2019. Despite pressure to curtail his resources and accept a move to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, Andrew remains ensconced in Royal Lodge after securing additional funds.
Giannelloni's predicament reinforces the enduring negative impact of Andrew's questionable associations. Her experience underscores a repeated theme of entitlement and the murkiness surrounding the social circles that intertwined with Epstein and Maxwell.
For the royal family, the emerging allegations are yet another hurdle in managing the reputational damage caused by Andrew's past decisions. Commentator Helena Chard highlighted the struggle the royals face while underlining their commitment to their larger mission of duty and service despite the problematic detachment from Andrew.
