Fans Divided over Report That Prince Andrew Wants Royal Status 'Reinstated' 'Respected' after His Downfall

Following the sexual misconduct charges levied against Prince Andrew in connection to Jeffrey Epstein, many witnessed the drastic measures taken by the British Royal institution in light of his trial.

In past months, Prince Andrew has witnessed public scrutiny after he was named concerning sex trafficking misconducts alongside Jeffrey Epstein. The butterfly effect took a toll on his public image and career as a royal.

Before this tumultuous period, Andrew was one of the most beloved royal family members. Andrew attended Gordonstoun boarding school like his father and brother, Prince Charles. He went on to join the military, making significant changes amid the Falkland Island wars.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York visits Mother London on March 13, 2013 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

After settling into royal life, Andrew had a fair share of high-profile affairs in his bachelorhood. He was often seen with actresses, models, and other celebrities, earning him the nickname “Randy Andy.” The Duke Of York was also famously known as a playboy prince.

His marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986 shifted his narrative. By the time the pair ended their marriage almost a decade later, Andrew was mostly known as another royal member with a failed marriage.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York at day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

However, this did not change his cordial relationship with Ferguson. The former spouses, who had two daughters, continued living together at the Royal Lodge near Windsor.

Andrew’s reputation among royal fans and the general public was in high esteem due to his pedigree as a naval officer and a helicopter pilot during the Falkland wars.

PRINCE ANDREW’S DOWNFALL

Andrew’s reputation and the credibility he built in years came crashing down in 2015 when his name was brought up amid Jeffrey Epstein’s trial on sex trafficking. Epstein was found guilty of recruiting and grooming underage girls, and he was convicted.

When Prince Andrew’s name came up, he had been mentioned by Ms. Virginia Giuffre, who made it known that he sexually abused her when she was 17. In 2019, Andrew sat in an interview with BBC where he tried explaining his friendship with Epstein.

He described Epstein’s crime as “unbecoming” and said he did not remember meeting Giuffre. Contrary to this, a photo of the duo sharing a hug had circulated. Andrew also said he did not remember taking the snapshot. This further dipped his already dwindling reputation.

Prince Andrew during a Christmas lunch for members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace on December 18, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

A back and forth ensued between Giuffre and Andrew, filled with claims and counterclaims. In an instance, Giuffre shared that the Prince had been sweating profusely in one of their meetings. He, in turn, made a bizarre claim noting that he was medically incapable of sweating.

Ultimately Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the Prince at a federal court in Manhattan in August 2021. Although his lawyers tried dismissing the case, a judge gave the go-ahead to the sit-in in January 2022.

QUEEN’S HARSH DECISION OVER PRINCE ANDREW

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

In the wake of this, the Queen released a bombshell statement outlining the consequences of Prince Andrew’s legal issues. The letter, addressed as approval from the Queen, removed Andrew’s royal patronage and military affiliations.

The statement read that the Duke would discontinue his royal duties while facing his lawsuit as a private entity. There were hints in the short address that strongly suggested that there was no return for Andrew.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends the Sunday Service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, following the announcement on Friday April 9th of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99, on April 11, 2021 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

For one, the write-up shows that the actions were pronounced by Queen Elizabeth herself, while Andrew was declared a private citizen. This indicates that the royal embers stood by the Queen while Andrew was banned.

The Prince was forbidden from continuously using the “His Royal Highness” title, while his brother, Prince Charles, and nephew, Prince William, were instrumental in establishing the set rules. It was also remitted that the statements were the Queen’s words.

Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, at Royal Lodge, in Windsor on April 11, 2021, two days after the death of his father Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. | Source: Getty Images

Andrew being referred to as a private citizen suggests that the Queen completely dissociated herself and the royal household from his lawsuit. The Queen was also said to have been paying his legal fees at the start of the suit but has since ended that.

There were reports that Andrew’s case was widely discussed within the royal family such that many members deliberated on his fate even before he was informed of the decision. This suggests that the royal family members were in unison to protect the future.

PRINCE ANDREW REPORTEDLY WANTS ROYAL STATUS “REINSTATED” & “RECOGNIZED”