A new report in The Sunday Times claims that Prince Andrew repeatedly deleted references to victims of sexual abuse from official palace statements, explaining why his public remarks over the years have never acknowledged their suffering.
According to the paper, a source described as a “friend of the King and Queen” said, “In all previous statements issued by the Palace since Andrew’s disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, each time courtiers drafted in references to the victims they were removed after they went to Andrew for sign-off.”
The insider added, “There has long been a sense from the family that the voices of the victims needed to be heard in these pronouncements, because they feature so heavily in this saga and because there is no credible way the Queen (Camilla) and the Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie) can continue to do the work they do in the areas of sexual abuse if they can’t point to that.”
The latest palace statement, released last Thursday, finally did include a reference to victims, reading, “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
The Sunday Times also reports that Queen Camilla has read excerpts from Virginia Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl.
Royal sources told the paper that King Charles had hoped Andrew’s decision to give up his Duke of York title two weeks ago would mark the end of the scandal. One friend of the monarch was quoted as saying, “They got it wrong the first time. They’ve got it right now.”
This directly contradicts palace briefings that described the move as just the “first step” in a longer process to address “complex legal and constitutional issues.” Royal editor Roya Nikkhah dismissed that claim, saying the idea that Charles had been planning a gradual removal was “nonsense.”
A source told her that the King and Queen had been gauging public opinion during recent outings and were struck by how angry people remained about Andrew’s behaviour. “They have felt the public anger and they have acted,” the source said.
One former courtier didn’t mince words, telling the paper, “Of all members of the royal family, he was the most loathed by the household, so there are not many people sobbing in their cornflakes.”
Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday revealed that Andrew has been spending time at a secret £10 million villa in Abu Dhabi, provided by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a longtime friend from their days at Gordonstoun. The lavish six-bedroom property reportedly includes a private cinema, gym, indoor plunge pool, and a gold-fitted kitchen.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie told the paper that the home offers Andrew “privacy and a more sympathetic environment” and could serve as a base if he decides to divide his time between the UK and the Gulf.
The King, Queen, and senior royals are continuing their duties this week, with Prince William heading to Brazil for engagements linked to his Earthshot environmental prize — though aides are reportedly hoping his trip isn’t overshadowed by the latest developments surrounding his uncle.
