The News
Prince Andrew’s Security Funding Withdrawn by King Charles, Plunging Him into Chaos
Prince Andrew is facing a significant upheaval as King Charles has decided to pull the plug on his security funding.
The Duke of York will now be required to finance his own protection at his luxurious 30-room residence in Windsor, marking a stark shift from the decades-long tradition of receiving financial support from the Crown.
Reports from the Telegraph indicate that Andrew will need to source funds independently to cover the substantial expenses associated with security and maintenance at the Royal Lodge, a task that is expected to come at a considerable cost.
With no steady source of income and the property reportedly in dire need of extensive refurbishments, the situation appears to be fraught with challenges for the embattled royal.
This development comes on the heels of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's call for authorities to initiate a fresh probe into Prince Andrew following revelations contained in recently unsealed US court documents.
The legal papers pertain to a 2015 defamation lawsuit filed against Ghislaine Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, who has accused Andrew of engaging in inappropriate behavior towards her when she was a teenager.
Among the allegations are claims that the Duke groped a 20-year-old woman at Jeffrey Epstein's New York residence in 2001 and s–ually assaulted and raped Ms. Giuffre on multiple occasions when she was 17, including an incident in London.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied these accusations.
Expressing his stance on the matter, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of taking complaints seriously and thoroughly investigating any credible allegations brought forth.
Drawing attention to the significance of prioritizing the well-being of the victims, he stressed the necessity of examining the details surrounding the claims made against individuals, irrespective of their status.
Notably, Sir Keir previously served as the Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, a period during which Ms. Giuffre released a photograph showing her alongside Prince Andrew, shedding light on their past interactions.
The newly disclosed court documents feature testimonies provided under oath by Maxwell, Giuffre, and another individual named Joanna Heerberg.
Additionally, the files contain a series of interconnected emails, including correspondence between Epstein and Maxwell.
In addition to the Duke of York, the documents also mention former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, underscoring the far-reaching implications of the ongoing legal saga.
Despite the recent settlement reached by Andrew with Ms. Giuffre in 2022 over her assault claims dating back to her teenage years, the resurgence of these allegations poses a potential setback for the royal, casting doubt on his prospects for future public appearances.
In a striking turn of events, Prince Andrew was spotted as recently as Christmas Day partaking in a traditional walk from Sandringham to church alongside the King and other members of the royal family.
This public appearance came mere months after his conspicuous presence at King Charles' coronation ceremony, where he donned his garter robes.