Prince William has firmly stated he will not take any action to defend his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whom a royal expert has labelled as "despicable" in the wake of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein controversy. The Prince and Princess of Wales broke their silence this week with a rare public declaration, expressing they are "deeply concerned" about the latest disturbing revelations emerging from the Epstein files.
Royal Expert Highlights William's Moral Stance
Hilary Fordwich, a noted royal commentator, emphasised that Prince William, influenced significantly by Princess Catherine, is modernising the monarchy by clearly aligning with the victims. "This demonstrates William’s moral authority," Fordwich stated. "We can expect that he will not do anything to defend his despicable uncle." The Waleses' brief statement, issued through a spokesperson, confirmed their focus remains on the victims amidst the scandal.
Mixed Reactions to the Royal Statement
The couple's intervention has sparked a divided response, with some praising their willingness to take a public stance, while critics like Piers Morgan argued they could have adopted stronger rhetoric. Fordwich described their move as "a deliberate break from royal tradition," signalling a shift in how the monarchy addresses sensitive issues.
King Charles Breaks His Silence
Following the Waleses' statement, King Charles made an unprecedented comment, voicing his "profound concern" over the catalogue of allegations surrounding Andrew. Previously, Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, had avoided addressing the scandal directly, evading questions from reporters during royal engagements. This marks a significant departure from their earlier silence.
Epstein Files Release Intensifies Scrutiny
More than three million records, including personal emails from the so-called Epstein files, were released by the U.S. Department of Justice last week, reigniting public and media scrutiny. Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously claimed he ceased contact with Epstein in 2010, though documents suggest communications persisted beyond that date.
William Maintains Composure During Saudi Visit
Despite the controversy, Prince William, 43, continued his royal duties with poise during a trip to Saudi Arabia, where he was heckled over the issue. The father of three engaged in a kickabout with young female footballers at MISK Sports City, participating in training drills and a crossbar challenge. Although he aimed for the crossbar, he scored all three shots into the net, bonding with players aged 10 to 15 and discussing weather differences between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
William encouraged the athletes, saying, "Good luck with football, keep practising and we’ll see you in the World Cup." This display of resilience underscores his commitment to his royal responsibilities amid personal and familial turmoil.
