Buckingham Palace faced a "car crash" scenario that forced the Queen to take unprecedented action against her own son, newly unsealed court documents have revealed.
The dramatic email exchange that led to Prince Andrew being stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages has been exposed in legal filings from his sex abuse case.
The Fateful Correspondence
According to the documents, the Duke of York's legal team was locked in tense negotiations with Virginia Giuffre's lawyers when Buckingham Palace intervened. Palace officials reportedly warned that the situation was becoming untenable and immediate action was necessary.
In a stunning revelation, the correspondence shows that Andrew's team was given mere hours' notice before the public announcement that would see him removed from all royal duties.
A Royal Fall from Grace
The Duke lost numerous prestigious positions including:
- His cherished military affiliations with regiments including the Grenadier Guards
- All royal patronages across hundreds of organisations
- His right to use 'His Royal Highness' in official capacity
- His ceremonial role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards
This represents one of the most significant royal demotions in modern history, highlighting the severity of the situation facing the monarchy.
Legal Battle Intensifies
The documents emerge from Andrew's failed attempt to have Virginia Giuffre's civil case thrown out of court. His legal team argued the case was "baseless" but ultimately settled for a reported £12 million out of court.
Legal experts suggest the email revelations demonstrate how deeply concerned Palace officials were about the damage the case was causing to the institution of monarchy.
The unsealed documents paint a picture of a royal family in crisis management mode, forced to choose between protecting one of their own and preserving the integrity of the Crown.
