This Prince Andrew stuff is difficult to navigate.
I have tried to keep this page high vibes and avoid unsavory topics but I can not continue to ignore what Prince Andrew is doing to the reputation of the British royal family – during the Queen‘s platinum jubilee year.
At the same time, I loathe cancel culture and want to remind the world, INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Unfortunately for the Duke of York, that ship has sailed. At this point in the chaos, it is guilt by association.
Why on earth would a man that has so much to lose associate with someone as grotesque as Jeffrey Epstein and his little minion, Ghislaine Maxwell? I mean, literally, this guy could make one phone call and Beyonce would be on his doorstep asking if he would prefer Crazy in Love or Halo.
The obvious answer is that he would associate with someone like Epstein because of what Epstein allegedly provided him… loans and girls. And that answer is frustrating, disappointing, and equally confusing.
As you know by now, Judge Lewis Kaplan has agreed to allow a civil trial between one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims named Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew. Giuffre says that she was “forced” to sleep with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions. Twice when she was under the age of 18. She is now pursuing damages in civil court for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Prince Andrew’s legal team worked overtime to have the case thrown out in New York but their efforts were a bust. And to be honest… can you imagine what the response would have been had Judge Kaplan thrown the case out? It would have looked like royal privilege or worse.
With royal depositions and the pursuit of digital and physical evidence on the horizon… the palace knew they had to respond… and that things can only get uglier and more salacious from here.
On Thursday, January 13, 2022, the Queen announced that Prince Andrew was being removed from every single one of his patronages and that the Duke of York was being stripped of his titles. He will no longer be able to use the title HRH… and while he remains the Duke of York… a title gifted to him by the Queen… some argue that he should refrain from utilizing that title as well.
Hopefully, if Prince Andrew loses this case he will not OJ Simpson Virginia Giuffre and run from the responsibility of paying his fine. Pay Giuffre and move on. Stay behind the scenes and in the dark. This has been such a catastrophic blow to an institution that has had a rough 24 months. I pray that the Queen finds peace and gets a break from this unnecessary drama.
Kinsey Schofield is the Founder of To Di For Daily and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.