In the latest of a series of humiliating episodes, Prince Andrew has been turfed out of his office at Buckingham Palace, with the authorisation of his mother Queen Elizabeth.
According to the Times Of London, Andrew was told to clear his office and staff out of the palace on Friday, just days after announcing his decision to step back from official duties.
His private secretary Amanda Thirsk was also fired, reportedly due to her part in encouraging the Duke of York to take part in his now-infamous BBC interview.
The interview saw Prince Andrew discussing his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and denying allegations that he had sex with a minor.
He faced heavy criticism for his flippant responses and apparent lack of empathy for Epstein’s victims, and was mocked for a bizarre claim about how he does not sweat.
As backlash from the interview, intensified, the 59-year-old prince announced he’d be stepping back from his public duties, with the permission of his mum. He said:
“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 organizations and charities that I am proud to support. Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
The Times reports that a lawyer representing a number of Epstein’s alleged victims has accused the prince of “enabling” his crimes, and has urged him to cooperate with US authorities.
The lawyer in question said that the prince may be served a subpoena if he does not testify willingly in a future legal action.
