In a move many didn’t think was going to happen Queen Elizabeth II‘s second-oldest son, Prince Andrew, settled with the woman who accused him of having sex with her when she was a minor.
On Feb. 15, it was announced that the Duke of York reached a settlement with Virginia Giuffre who said she was trafficked by convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew three different times when she was 17. Giuffre came forward with her allegations years ago but it was the prince’s own denials that made things even worse for the monarchy. His televised interview in 2019 trying to deny Giuffre’s claims was seen as a complete disaster and his constant dodging and refusal to even speak to authorities about the case wasn’t a good look either. Now, many are wondering if he has spoken to his mother since he settled. According to reports he has, but only visits the queen under the cover of darkness.
When Queen Elizabeth stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages
After Andrew’s “car crash” interview, the backlash that followed, and mounting pressure as a judge ordered the civil case could go forward, the queen had no choice but to take away her son’s military titles and remaining royal patronages.
Buckingham Palace released a brief statement saying: “With the queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen.”
The duke has reportedly been visiting his mother but only at night
Andrew had been laying low for weeks and many weren’t sure if he had seen the queen since reaching the settlement with Giuffre. Now, the Express is reporting that multiple sources have claimed Prince Andrew has seen his mom since the announcement and even apologized to her over the distraction he caused during her platinum jubilee year.
The insiders said that the duke has only been visiting the queen’s Windsor Castle residence, which isn’t far from his home in Windsor, after dark. “Andrew has been very careful and is trying to keep out of sight. He knows there are photographers in the daytime and his best chance to avoid them is after dark,” the sources told the publication, adding: “He knows he is meant to be keeping his head down and it’s a short trip, but he is extremely contrite and apologized to the queen for all the trouble he has caused her. He realizes how serious this whole issue has been and the damage it has done to the monarchy.”
The sources went on to say that Andrew “is just so grateful for her support and it’s certainly true that the queen has a soft spot for Andrew and regards him as her favorite son.”
Andrew was always believed to be the queen’s favorite
The remarks about Andrew being the queen’s favorite are nothing new. For years, it’s been thought that he was always the monarch’s favorite child.
In the documentary Paxman on the Queen’s Children, royal historian Piers Brendon said one of the reasons why had to do with Andrew’s enthusiasm when he served in the military.
“He completed the Marines Commando course, just to show he could, before qualifying as a helicopter pilot,” Brendon explained. “Then, aged just 22, he fought in the Falklands. And so, it’s pretty clear that Prince Andrew is obviously Queen Elizabeth’s favorite son. He was heroic during the Falklands War. It’s clear that she has a soft spot for him.”
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