Royal Tensions Explode: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Break Silence on Prince Andrew What did the Sussexes really say about the disgraced former royal? Their past comments are resurfacing—and insiders claim the truth could deepen the cracks inside the monarchy.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested Thursday by U.K. police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Mountbatten-Windsor is the younger brother of King Charles III and the uncle of Prince Harry. He was stripped of his honorary military titles and royal patronages in 2022 amid scrutiny over his ties to disgraced financer and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Here is what Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, have said publicly about him.
Why It Matters
For years, Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein have been a reputational crisis. But his arrest, on his 66th birthday on Thursday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office is a major escalation, moving his Epstein friendship from disgrace to potential criminal wrongdoing.
The world is still reeling from the latest release of the Epstein files that named multiple prominent figures in various industries, leading to several resignations and blowback, including for Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) published more than 3 million pages of material under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in November. The tranche of documents includes 2,000 videos and 180,000 images with nearly 3.5 million pages released, in compliance with the act.
What To Know
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have largely avoided speaking publicly about the former Prince Andrew.
In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Prince Harry points to what he describes as a double standard: He and Meghan lost publicly funded security after they stepped back from royal duties and moved to the U.S., while his uncle kept security protection despite what Harry calls a “shameful scandal” tied to Epstein.
He writes that he and Meghan were discussing the possibility of losing security, in which he replied there would be no way they would, saying: “Also, not in the wake of my Uncle Andrew. He was embroiled in a shameful scandal, accused of the sexual assault of a young woman, and no one had so much as suggested that he lose his security. Whatever grievances people had against us, sex crimes weren’t on the list.”
Mountbatten-Windsor reached a settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, ending her lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager in Epstein’s orbit.
A second woman last month alleged she was sent to the U.K. by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. The woman’s attorney, Brad Edwards, told the BBC the encounter occurred at the former prince’s Windsor residence in 2010. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.
What People Are Saying
King Charles III said in a statement on Thursday: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Buckingham Palace said in a statement to Newsweek earlier in February: “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.”