The Millennial Royal Who Is Stepping Into The Spotlight After Prince Andrew's Scandal
Prince Andrew's sex abuse lawsuit cast a shadow over the British royal family, and it's unlikely their soiled reputation will recover for a while.
Per People, the Duke of York settled with accuser Virginia Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed amount. Giuffre, who met Andrew when she was a teenager, was also one of Jeffrey Epstein's most high-profile accusers. She alleged being trafficked by the disgraced financier and forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions — charges he vociferously denied.
Giuffre stated, "I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but to reclaim one's life by speaking out and demanding justice."
The Duke of York was subsequently stripped of his royal titles and military patronages. As CNN pointed out, Andrew narrowly avoided having to testify under oath about the case, likely to his relief.
There were concerns that further damage could be done to the monarchy if more details came to light. Regardless, reputation experts say there is no way back for Prince Andrew. And, now, another high-profile royal is taking his place in a notable way.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Princess Beatrice is seen as more reliable than her father
Royal experts divulged to the Daily Mail that, following Prince Andrew's spectacular fall from grace, the queen's beloved granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, has stepped up to the plate to assist her.
Although Beatrice has traditionally been much more private than some of her peers, according to Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine, the mother of one "wants to help her grandmother as much as she can" in the wake of Andrew's highly publicized sex abuse scandal. Unlike her father, Beatrice has proven herself to be "reliable" and trustworthy, per royal author Angela Levin.
Moreover, since settling down with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and becoming a mom, the princess has really come into her own. Beatrice has been spotted at several royal events in recent months, including the lavish Chelsea Flower Show and the World Dyslexia Assembly in Sweden.
As Seward explained, "She has a baby but has a top Norland nanny to take over when necessary. So, I think she enjoys doing royal events with her husband and has the ability and wherewithal to do them."
As The Guardian notes, it was recently announced that Andrew, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle will not be permitted to accompany the queen on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during her upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations since none of them are working royals anymore. However, all three will be present at various events throughout the weekend regardless.
Prince Andrew is trying to make things right with the queen
Although Prince Andrew's scandal hurt the queen's reputation, the long-reigning monarch hasn't turned her back on him just yet.
Per People, Andrew accompanied his mother to Prince Philip's memorial service in March 2022, with photos showing the disgraced prince helping her enter Westminster Abbey and walk down the aisle. The duo actually traveled to the venue together, too.
His presence overshadowed the sadness of the day, with headlines focused on Andrew rather than Philip, much to the disappointment of senior royals. In fact, Prince William and Prince Charles reportedly felt annoyed about Andrew escorting the queen for that very reason.
The Duke of York has not been deterred, however, with The Mirror reporting that Andrew has been visiting his mother every single day in a bid to prove his worth to her. The prince lives in Royal Lodge, just a short drive away from Windsor Castle.
"Andrew is doing all he can to make amends for the shame he brought on his family for being involved in such a scandal," a source reveals. "He wants to make it up to the Queen which is why he is doing all he can to see her as much as possible."
Several royals believe Andrew should keep his distance rather than risk making things worse, but an insider noted that Andrew "appears completely intent on being on hand for his mum while showing the family he is still of some use."