King Charles' 'Extraordinary' Move on Brother Andrew Deemed 'Overdue' by Royal Experts
King Charles has taken what royal commentators are describing as an "extraordinary and unprecedented" action concerning his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with one prominent expert stating the move was "overdue." This development follows Buckingham Palace's announcement earlier this week that it stands "ready to support" police as they assess allegations against the former prince, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Palace Pledges Support for Police Investigation
In a formal statement issued this week, Buckingham Palace declared: "The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect."
The Palace further emphasized that "Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse." This statement comes after the anti-monarchist group Republic reported Mountbatten-Windsor to Thames Valley Police for suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets relating to his former role as a trade envoy.
Allegations Linked to Jeffrey Epstein Files
The police investigation stems from recently released emails as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which appear to suggest that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with the convicted sex offender during his tenure as a trade envoy. Thames Valley Police, which holds jurisdiction over Windsor, confirmed it is evaluating whether there are sufficient grounds to investigate the concerns raised by Republic.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing arising from his association with the disgraced financier. However, in October last year, his brother King Charles stripped him of his royal titles and honours, marking a significant royal demotion.
Royal Experts Weigh In on Palace Position
Speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, labeled the King's latest move as "overdue." She commented: "It is extraordinary and unprecedented. I think it was overdue and I do think we needed to hear more. I do think the Palace is in a very, very difficult situation but I think the King went as far as he could in expressing his concern and probably his personal outrage about the allegations his brother is facing."
However, Richard Eden, the Mail's Diary Editor, believes the King could have taken further action. He stated: "You know that he needs to put pressure on him to do so. It's not enough just to say, 'Oh I'm a bit concerned about this', you know you're in charge, do something. You're in charge, you're the king."
Public Reaction and Recent Heckling Incidents
The King has faced public questioning about his brother during recent official engagements. During a visit to Clitheroe, one man was overheard asking: "How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?", which prompted boos from the surrounding crowd. This incident occurred less than a week after similar heckling about his brother's association with convicted paedophile Epstein during an official visit to Essex the previous Thursday.
These public confrontations highlight the ongoing scrutiny facing the royal family regarding the allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace has been approached for further comment on these developments as the police assessment continues.
