Prince Andrew’s Scandal Has Forced Prince Philip to Make the ‘Toughest Decision of His Life’
Preparations are already underway for Prince Philip’s 100th birthday celebration, which will take place in June 2021. However, the party will reportedly be bittersweet because of the recent scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. According to a royal expert, the scandal has forced Prince Philip to make the “toughest decision of his life.”
The royal family have already excluded Prince Andrew from 1 major event
Prince Philip’s second-oldest son — Prince Andrew — got caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in 2019. Even though the story is no longer making headlines in the United States, the Duke of York is still suffering serious fallout from his relationship with Epstein. Not to mention the subsequent BBC interview he gave about the situation.
Philip’s connection to Epstein has been so toxic, he has been pulled out of the royal spotlight. He didn’t appear in his own daughter’s wedding photos when Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. And, according to Express, there are rumors swirling that he will soon lose his HRH title.
Andrew did attend the wedding with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were also part of the intimate ceremony. The secretive nature of the wedding was reportedly not because of Prince Andrew’s scandal. Instead, it was part of the safety protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince Philip’s son is being ‘airbrushed’ from his birthday celebration
A new report from The Sun claims that the palace is airbrushing Prince Andrew out of Prince Philip’s 100th birthday celebration. Even though he is one of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s four children, Andrew will not take part in the major celebrations thrown in honor of his father.
The palace is cutting Andrew’s role down to an absolute minimum. Just like they left him out of his own daughter’s wedding photos, he will also have a minimal presence in the photo exhibition of his father’s life.
“There is a warning from up high to play down Andrew. He will be included as little as possible,” an insider said. They insisted this was “not whitewashing history” because Andrew wasn’t being left out “entirely.”
The source added that the royal family “will not make a big deal” out of Andrew’s relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip was forced to make the ‘toughest decision of his life’
According to royal expert Nigel Cawthorne, downplaying Andrew’s role in his life and in the family hasn’t been easy for Prince Philip. The Duke of York has repeatedly denied any connection to Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes. But, his attempt to justify the friendship was brutal for his public image.
He is no longer performing royal duties and has kept an extremely low profile since the scandal blew up. Cawthorne says this is forcing Prince Philip to make the tough decision of playing down Andrew’s role in the royal family.
Cawthorne says the Duke of Edinburgh is “displeased” over having to make that decision. He says that Prince Philip is “extremely fond” and “proud” of his son. But, his name is currently “poison.”
The author of Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace says that the decision to cut down Prince Andrew’s role in the planned celebrations for his 100th birthday “is one of the toughest decisions Prince Philip will have had to make in his life.”
