Donald Trump has spoken publicly about the turmoil facing Britain’s royal family following renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The US president shared his thoughts while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late on Sunday.
King Charles strips Prince Andrew of final honorary title
The comments came as Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Andrew will be stripped of his last remaining honorary military title (the rank of vice-admiral) which he received in 2015 on his 55th birthday, The Independent reports.
It follows King Charles' decision to remove his brother’s peerages and the title of prince. The rank was the final honorary distinction Andrew had retained after handing back others in 2022 amid the Epstein scandal. As such, the former prince will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images.
Questions remain over Andrew’s military standing
The Ministry of Defence has not said whether Andrew will be allowed to keep his medals, including the campaign medal he received for his service during the Falklands War. However, sources told British media that officials are considering whether he will revert to the rank of commander, which he earned during active service, or lose his naval rank entirely.
Andrew has been associated with the Royal Navy since 1979, when he began officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. He later served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands conflict in 1982 and ended his active service in 2001 before being promoted to vice-admiral on an honorary basis in 2015, according to the Daily Mail.
Trump says situation is “a terrible thing” for the royals
When asked about the controversy surrounding Andrew, Trump told reporters that it was a deeply unfortunate episode for the monarchy. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the [royal] family,” he said, via Sky News. “That’s been a tragic situation. It’s too bad.”
He added six words that summed up his reaction: “I feel badly for the family.”
Prince Andrew faces growing pressure from US investigators
The former prince has long denied claims by the late Virginia Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Pressure is now mounting for Andrew to give evidence before the powerful US House Oversight Committee, with members calling on him to reveal what he knew about Epstein’s actions.
Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre in 2001. Credit: Anadolu / Getty Images.
Trump’s own Epstein connections resurface
Trump himself had historical connections with Epstein. Earlier this year, the UK-based political campaign group Led By Donkeys projected a nine-minute film onto Windsor Castle ahead of Trump’s state visit.
The video detailed Trump’s past relationship with Epstein, including the release of documents said to contain a letter the former president sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Four men were arrested over the protest but later released without charge.