Prince William Plans to Remove Epstein-Tainted Prince Andrew from Royal Life

Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has severely damaged his reputation and his standing within the British Royal Family, leading him to relinquish his royal titles and honors. Despite his denials of wrongdoing, public and royal scrutiny persists, with commentators noting that he cannot escape the shadow of the scandal. Prince William, as heir to the throne, is reportedly taking a firm stance, planning to use formal royal powers to remove Andrew from public life and bar him from future royal events, marking a significant reordering aimed at protecting the monarchy's reputation. This shift also affects royal traditions, as Prince William is expected to break with centuries-old custom by not bestowing the Duke of York title—traditionally given to the monarch's second son—on his own son, Prince Louis, due to the tarnished legacy of Andrew's scandals. The title is likely to remain dormant until Andrew's death, reflecting a broader effort to restore public trust and demonstrate moral clarity within the monarchy. These developments underscore the monarchy's efforts to rebrand itself as more accountable and less tied to inherited privilege in an era of heightened public scrutiny.