Disgraced Prince Andrew Is Likely 'Loving' That The Media Is Fixated On Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
Though the majority of the royal family wants to move past the drama with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, British commentator Lisa Wilkinson believes disgraced Prince Andrew — who was accused of being involved in sex trafficking and sleeping with underage girls — is enjoying living in their shadows.
During the June 9 episode of The Project, Wilkinson and her coanchors were discussing a report that claimed Harry and Meghan didn't get the Queen's approval to name their daughter "Lilibet," the matriarch's nickname.
After the rumor spread, a spokesperson for the couple denied the report, but Wilkinson couldn't help but laugh at the attention it was receiving.
"Who knows what the truth is in this story?" she said. "All I do know is how much Prince Andrew would be loving the oxygen this ridiculous story is taking up right now."
In recent years, it came to light that Andrew had close ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Virginia Giuffre claimed that at just 17 years old, she was a victim of Epstein's sex trafficking and was forced to sleep with Andrew.
A photo of Andrew and Giuffre resurfaced, but the Duke of York insisted that her story was fabricated — though he acknowledged his ties to Epstein, which he "regrets."
"It didn’t happen. That couldn’t have happened because the date that’s being suggested I was at home with the children," he stated in a BBC interview. "I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever."
However, following his public sit-down, Andrew stepped down from his royal duties.
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"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," he stated. "Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission."
"I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure," he continued. "I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."
