Sexual abuse
The trial of Prince Andrew threatens to overshadow the Queen’s throne jubilee
In the United States, there is a civil lawsuit against the British Prince Andrew. In London, however, the investigation into the abuse scandal was declared over.
© Steve Parsons / Pool PA / AP / DPA
The coming year will mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. But the lawsuit against Prince Andrew threatens to overshadow the celebrations, fears a nobility expert.
Josef Stalin ruled with a hard hand in the Soviet Union, the Federal Republic of Germany was less than three years old and Chancellor Angela Merkel was not even born: This is how the world looked when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the British throne on February 6, 1952.
The world has changed radically since then, but almost 70 years later the UK is still ruled by the monarch. In the coming year, the Queen will celebrate the platinum anniversary of her accession to the throne. That should be celebrated in a big way: For four days, from June 2nd to 5th, 2022, the British want to celebrate their queen. A gigantic pageant, a thanksgiving service and a military parade are planned.
But of all things, her favorite son could spoil the Queen’s festivities. Because there is a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in the United States for alleged abuse of a minor. The 61-year-old was also acquainted with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who is accused of running a ring for the sexual exploitation of minors.
The Queen wants to celebrate – but Prince Andrew has to go to court
All of this could be spread out again in court in the weeks and months around the Queen’s jubilee – and cast a deep shadow over the celebrations. This is what the Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams fears. New York Judge Lewis Kaplan has set July 14, 2022 as the latest possible date for testimony in the upcoming trial.
In an interview with the British newspaper “Daily Mail”, the expert on the British royal family said that the palace viewed this schedule with concern – because it could clash with the celebrations at the exact time. The Queen is celebrating an anniversary that is unique in this country, but there will be a cloud “because of Andrew’s hideous, ill-advised friendship with Epstein,” said Fitzwilliams.
The Queen has already taken precautions on one point: While almost all members of the royal family are harnessed for the celebrations and are supposed to take on trips at home and abroad, Andrew is completely left out.
In other words: Queen Elizabeth II hides her son as best she can.
Source used: “Daily Mail”