Charles ‘Must Act Eventually’ as the Andrew Pressure Builds
Charles ‘Powerless’ Over Andrew Scandal—Yet an Action Is ‘Inevitable’
King Charles, in the recent wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, has tried his best to keep a neutral stance and stand by the law without reacting much. However, he will eventually have to take a side as public pressure is expected to only increase. The former Duke was arrested on 19th February, and unfortunately for him, on his 66th birthday, by the Thames Valley police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and despite him vehemently denying the claims, there is email evidence against him.
Mounting Pressure
Other than this, there are several other allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor, like human trafficking due to his ties to the convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein. Soon after his arrest, the King released an official statement, but that was it. Royal expert Phil Dampier, in a conversation with Hello! Magazine, opined that Charles can take months but will have to eventually face it all.
Critical Juncture
"The fact that he's now the subject of a police investigation means that they can't really talk about it, because obviously it's ongoing," shared Dampier. He continued, "I genuinely don't think they can comment really, while a police investigation is going on, and obviously that could take months." Dampier also advised that the King to "address the nation" once the situation gets better and calmer.
Expert Opinion
Further in the conversation, the expert drafted a rough pathway for the King to follow. "They've got to heed public opinion. If the King gets an opportunity to get ahead of this by saying, 'what happened was terrible, and we're deeply concerned about the victims', that would draw a line under it." He elaborated that with changing time there should be a different approach, "Rather like the Queen decided to make a live public broadcast to quell the anger over the death of Diana. I think a reset is needed, and it will be good if Charles can do it."
Time Running Out
Dampier added, "I think it will probably happen within six months. It could happen quite quickly – whether he ends up being charged or ending up in court or not," regarding the Australian Prime Minister writing to Sir Keir Starmer stating that his Government would support "any proposal" to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. He continued, "The political will and public opinion are so strong that it would end up being a gesture in some ways. He's clearly not going to come back as a working royal, and the monarchy only exists with the support of the public."
Royal Oust
Any person in the line of succession can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, with agreement from 14 Commonwealth countries, with the King serving as the head of state. The chatter around removing Mountbatten Windsor is quite loud, and it is only about time before the King will be compelled to take a stance. As of now, the monarchy wants Mountbatten-Windsor to stay low and above the media.