Why does this royal still have titles? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don’t

If Prince Andrew’s sexual abuse case couldn’t get more aggravating, it’s been revealed that the financial damages due from the Duke of York may come from taxpayer dollars. After one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, claimed that she was “lent” to Prince Andrew for “sexual purposes”, his royal title has become at stake. 

How can Prince Harry & Meghan Markle face such criticism from British royalty, when Prince Andrew has possibly committed a horrendous crime? Can Prince Andrew ever return to his royal duties after such an international scandal? Read what experts believe will happen to the fallen Duke of York.

Prince Andrew’s alleged involvement with sex trafficking case

Although the official civil lawsuit was filed just one month ago, Giuffre had initially claimed she was sexually abused by Prince Andrew nearly five years prior. Virginia Giuffre had publicly announced that she was a victim of sex trafficking enforced by Jeffrey Epstein. 

She claimed that Epstein would force her to engage in sexual activities with his friends, including the Duke of York. Giuffre’s statement clearly details that Prince Andrew was fully aware that she was a victim of sex trafficking, underage, and not once gave consent.

The civil lawsuit states that Giuffre was sexually abused by Prince Andrew at Ghislaine Maxwell’s home in London, Epstein’s Manhattan residence, and on Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Prince Andrew committed sexual assault and battery upon Plaintiff when she was 17 years old. As such, Prince Andrew is responsible for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress pursuant to New York common law. The damage to Plaintiff has been severe and lasting,” the lawsuit states.

Prince Andrew denies all claims and remains silent

Despite the lawsuit filed and international criticism, Prince Andrew and Buckingham Palace have remained silent. The Duke of York has only spoken directly of the scandal once in a 2019 interview with the BBC. However, this interview only includes Prince Andrew’s outright denial of all of Giuffre’s claims. The royal has even remarked that he has no memory of ever meeting her. 

However, this denial was quickly questioned when a photograph of Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre was released and essentially proved that the pair have definitely met. Yet, Prince Andrew has asserted that perhaps the photograph has been altered because he is certain the two have never met.

Giuffre’s legal team is still awaiting a response to the lawsuit. Despite an upcoming court hearing set for September 13th, Prince Andrew or his representatives have yet to make any correspondence with the victim’s lawyers. 

It has been reported that if Prince Andrew continues to ignore the lawsuit, he could face millions in damages and only further ruin his public reputation. Additionally, this lawsuit could likely bar him from entering the United States as well as other countries.

Can he afford the million-dollar lawsuit?

Although the damages have yet to be specified, one can only imagine that millions of dollars are at stake for the British royal. Due to his public role, it’s been confirmed by The Mirror that any damages the prince must pay will come from taxpayers.

Finding an exact number to charge the prince in damages is difficult due to his concealed income and wealth. David McClure, a royal finance expert has said, “Prince Andrew’s finances are shrouded in a pea soup of impenetrability. This is symbolized by the fact that no one knows how he was able to get a mortgage for some £13 million to buy a luxury ski chalet in Verbier in 2014.”

McClure added, “He has an affluent lifestyle, but where does the money come from? He has no discernible income.” Well, then how does the Duke of York and other royals get their checks?

It’s known that the Sovereign Grant has been paying for Prince Andrew’s lifestyle for decades. The Sovereign Grant is essentially the money the royals are paid by the Government. As a result, taxpayers have long been paying for the royals’ luxurious expenditures. 

It has even been revealed in accounts from 2018 to 2019 that the monarchy has cost taxpayers £67 million. This number is actually an increase of nearly £20 million in the previous financial year.

Contrasting reactions between Prince Andrew and Prince Harry’s “scandal”

Despite such horrific claims, Prince Andrew seems to have a sizable amount of support not only from Buckingham Palace but also from the British public. Some believe that Giuffre’s lawsuit is simply trying to give Prince Andrew a run for his money. One source has even remarked, “The royal family will not respond to extortion and this lawsuit is all about money.”

Meanwhile, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle were met with considerable distaste when the couple decided to leave the royal life behind. Meghan Markle was certainly painted as a villain in the British media trying to separate the royal family. However, a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey revealed that Meghan Markle & Prince Harry left for the United States for the emotional betterment of their growing family. 

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Will Prince Andrew lose his royal title after this sex trafficking lawsuit? Do you think Prince Harry & Meghan Markle deserved better treatment from Buckingham Palace and the British public? Let us know in the comments below!