The Black Sheep of the Royal Family

In the midst of preparation for King Charles coronation, a topic on everyone's lips is who will be in attendance.

The Duke of York, son of the late Queen Elizabeth and brother of King Charles, is reportedly set to attend the big day. Creating controversy as he has not been a working royal since 2020, as well as being stripped off his HRH title in 2022 after sexual assault allegations from a Ms Virginia Giuffre. 

Prince Andrew has amassed many names for himself, derogatory terms revolving around his alleged sex crimes and involvement with Jeffery Epstein. He denies all claims against his involvement in Epstein's multiple defilement of young girls. Despite being pictured with Jeffrey Epstein multiple times around the alleged period Epstein would have been trafficking girls, Prince Andrew denies all involvement. After Epstein's arrest in 2019, accused of sex trafficking a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, Prince Andrew began to face allegations himself with accusations of rape and misconduct.

Epstein may have committed suicide in prison , avoiding the prison sentence he ultimately deserved , but his social circle of the rich and famous did not have such a clean break. Prince Andrew formed a close friendship with Epstein ,for example pictured in 2000 at the races with Gislaine Maxwell- Epstein's partner in crime. Maxwell and Epstein were frequently flown over to royal residences such as Balmoral Castle in attendance with the prince, a sign they were all extremely close.

Maxwell has since been convicted herself, sentenced to 20 years in prison for assisting Epstein in luring in girls for trafficking.

Maxwell made claims she felt bad for her 'dear friend' Andrew after Epstein's death , as documents who were previously sealed were then released with Prince Andrew proving to be a royal with disturbing interests.

Maxwell referring to Andrew as an associate of hers only further implicates him as he denies any close friendship with Maxwell. 

Prince Andrew condemned himself by not issuing any statement after Epstein's arrest , choosing to stay quiet on the issue had only made him look more guilty. 

Nevertheless, Virginia Giuffre sealed the Duke's fate. Her choice to speak out against the esteemed royal was not an easy task, facing similar backlash as most women when making allegations against a powerful man. Virginia claims she was forced to engage in sexual acts with the prince, at the young age of 17. Lured in by Maxwell and Epstein. Her and Prince Andrew reached a settlement in 2022 with the prince still refusing to admit guilt to his crimes. However he agreed to pay Virginia a substantial, undisclosed amount as well as making a donation to her charity for survivors of sexual assault. Albeit not as satisfying as a royal being sentenced to prison, the power of money and privilege being the biggest flaw in the US and UK justice system.

The Duke of York has certainly built a reputation for himself, arguably the black sheep of the family. With the lack of a title , we are set to see him stood elsewhere on the day of the King's coronation- instead of infamously pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of Charles siblings and children.

If you are interested in finding out more, check this link out;

Prince Andrew: Who is the royal and will he attend the coronation? | The Independent