Prince Andrew is once again at the center of controversy, with royal experts advising him to step away from the Royal Family and live abroad. The disgraced Duke of York, long linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has reportedly been told to distance himself from his royal relatives for good.
According to royal correspondent Matt Wilkinson, writing for The Sun, “The late Queen and now the King have tried everything to punish the Duke but are now left with few levers to pull.” Despite efforts to limit Andrew’s role, his position remains complicated by legal and royal technicalities.
Wilkinson explained that “He has a cast-iron lease at Royal Lodge and stripping his Duke of York title is in the power of the Government, not the King.” The journalist also revisited the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview, widely viewed as a disaster for the Duke.
“It is now clear Andrew’s Newsnight interview was not only a car crash but not completely candid either. He did not cut off contact with Epstein like he claimed, as our email reveals,” Wilkinson said. The revelations suggest Andrew’s relationship with Epstein continued beyond what he admitted publicly, reigniting criticism about his honesty and judgment.
Wilkinson added that “King Charles will be shocked by his brother’s sheer brass neck but no longer surprised.” He referenced Andrew’s past defense of visiting Epstein in New York, when the Duke described it as “the honourable and right thing to do.” That remark continues to haunt him, symbolizing a lack of remorse or accountability.
Now, Wilkinson believes the Duke’s next step should be clear. “If he has an honourable bone in his own body, he should leave the country,” he said. Calls for Prince Andrew’s exile come as the Royal Family tries to maintain stability under King Charles’s reign.
While Andrew retains his title and residence at Royal Lodge, public opinion remains largely against him. His continued presence risks overshadowing the monarchy’s efforts to modernize and move beyond the scandals of recent years.
For now, the King appears to have little power to remove his brother from royal life. But pressure is mounting for Andrew to take responsibility and quietly step aside—possibly by leaving the UK altogether.