Trump ‘Feels Badly’ for Royals After Andrew’s Title Removal

Donald Trump has voiced profound sympathy for the British Royal Family following King Charles III’s decision to divest his brother, Prince Andrew, of his remaining military affiliations and royal patronages. The former U.S. President stated he feels “very badly” for the Windsors after Andrew’s association with the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to the unprecedented move.

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that the ex-Duke of York, now formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, would also be required to relocate from his long-standing residence at Royal Lodge, situated on the expansive Windsor estate. This significant announcement comes amid persistent internal concerns within the royal household regarding the reputational damage inflicted by continuous media attention surrounding Mountbatten-Windsor’s controversial friendship with the disgraced financier. The former prince has also been embroiled in allegations of sexual assault, brought forth by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims.

Trump’s Reaction and Royal Admiration

Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump, who himself had a prior acquaintance with Epstein before his two U.S. presidencies, was directly questioned about King Charles’s decree to strip Andrew of his peerages and official titles. “I feel very badly,” Trump reiterated. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the family. That’s been a tragic situation. It’s too bad. I feel badly for the family.”

Trump has consistently expressed admiration for the British monarchy, a sentiment he underscored during his second, unprecedented state visit to the United Kingdom in September. During that visit, he effusively praised King Charles and lauded the enduring “special relationship” between the United States and Britain.

Epstein Shadow Lingers for Both Figures

Coincidentally, Trump has navigated his own political difficulties in recent months, partially due to his past alleged connections with Epstein, who was discovered deceased in a New York jail cell in 2019. Prior to Trump’s September meeting with King Charles, several images depicting the then-U.S. president alongside Epstein were controversially projected onto the walls of Windsor Castle, accompanied by an audio track that questioned the nature of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Mountbatten-Windsor has experienced renewed intense scrutiny over his ties to Epstein. This resurgence of public and media interest follows the recent release of newly uncovered emails and a posthumous memoir by Giuffre. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, made claims in the book that have further fueled the controversy surrounding the former prince.

The decision by King Charles III to distance the monarchy from the ongoing scandal reflects a clear effort to protect the institution’s image, even as the repercussions continue to reverberate for both Prince Andrew and those, like Donald Trump, whose past associations with Epstein have come under public scrutiny.

Source: The Guardian