New revelations have emerged about the late Queen Elizabeth's startling reaction to Prince Andrew's account of the sexual assault allegations that have plagued the Royal Family for years.
The Scandal That Rocked the Monarchy
Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor found himself at the centre of an international sex scandal stemming from his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations, which first surfaced in 2014 court documents, claimed the Duke was among several high-profile figures who engaged in sexual activities with a 17-year-old girl, later identified as Virginia Giuffre.
The crisis reached its peak following Andrew's disastrous 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight journalist Emily Maitlis, during which he attempted to defend himself against Ms Giuffre's claims. She alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and "passed around his circle of friends for sex." Despite Andrew's vehement denials and claims he had no recollection of meeting her, the interview was widely condemned and led to his withdrawal from public duties.
The Queen's Pithy Response
According to royal biographer and family friend Gyles Brandreth, the late Queen listened carefully to her son's full explanation of the scandal before delivering a single-word verdict: "Intriguing." This revealing detail appears in Brandreth's 2022 book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, based on conversations with senior courtiers.
Despite her measured response, the monarch demonstrated support for her son in practical ways. Queen Elizabeth personally contributed £2 million towards Andrew's settlement with Ms Giuffre, though the payment was structured as a charitable donation to her foundation rather than direct compensation.
A royal insider explained the careful arrangement: "She could not be seen to be making a payment to a victim of sexual assault, who accused her son of being an abuser. But a deal was structured to arrange a sizeable financial contribution through a charitable donation instead."
Royal Fallout and Lasting Consequences
The scandal continued to haunt the Royal Family even after Epstein's death in prison in 2019. In 2022, Andrew settled the civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US for a reported £12 million, though the settlement included no admission of liability or wrongdoing.
The Queen maintained a public show of solidarity, joining Andrew for a horse ride through Windsor Great Park shortly after he stepped back from royal duties. However, by January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that with the Queen's approval, Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages had been returned to the monarch.
The pressure intensified under the new reign of King Charles III and Prince William, leading to Andrew's eventual decision to relinquish all his titles. In an October 2022 statement, the Duke declared: "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family."
The scandal resurfaced recently with the publication of email evidence suggesting Andrew maintained his friendship with Epstein longer than previously disclosed, alongside extracts from Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir, ensuring this royal crisis continues to capture public attention.
