Just In: Beatrice and Eugenie are suffering – Andrew and Fergie’s 1 big sacrifice could save them
Just In: Beatrice and Eugenie are suffering – Andrew and Fergie’s 1 big sacrifice could save them
As Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lays low at Sandringham, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has been completely taking the piste – by hiding out at an Austrian ski chalet. Meanwhile their children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have unfairly been left to be the public face of the now shamed House of York.
What an absolute disgrace. But there is one way Andrew and Fergie can redeem their honour in the eyes of the British public. How did this branch of our proud and honourable Royal Family get into such a farcical mess? Two words: Jeffrey Epstein.
The US financier was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 2008, but only served 13 months before being released in July 2009 and ordered to then serve a year’s probation until August 2010.
In an email sent to Andrew and Fergie on July 24, 2010, Epstein revealed his joy at serving his probation and finally being allowed to travel abroad, telling them: “I will be in Paris starting tomorrow.”
Andrew replied: “Congratulations! Really, really good news. If you are in Paris around the 16th I’ll be across to pay homage to your new life ahead!” Andrew signed the email off with ‘HRH The Duke of York KG’.
Apart from that awful “pay homage” quote (just a reminder – he was talking to a convicted paedophile!), Andrew was also left squirming by THAT old photo of himself kneeling on all fours over a female lying on the ground.
Fergie has also been left humiliated by the US Department of Justice’s release of her own emails to the American pervert where she asks him for a job, told him Eugenie was away on a “shagging weekend” and even begged the paedo: “Marry me!”
In February, Andrew was arrested in Sandringham, Norfolk, on suspicion of misconduct in a public office while working as a trade envoy. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing – as does Fergie.
But that has not stopped the pair from vanishing quicker than magician Paul Daniels’ rabbit.
A few days ago Andrew, 66, was spotted at the wheel of his SUV on the King’s estate at Sandringham; meanwhile, Fergie has been tracked down to a £2,000-a-night Austrian ski chalet. I doubt she’s paying for it.
It has been reported the stoney-faced mother-of-two has no intention of leaving the Alpine village either, while Andrew is keeping his head down too.
Fergie in particular is said by friends to be feeling “abandoned”. That’s like saying “I’m being forced to be holed up at The Ritz”. The world’s smallest violin is playing.
The two people who have really been abandoned are Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36. They cannot go to ground – they have husbands, young children, school runs and crucially jobs.
They must feel they have the weight of the House of York on their shoulders and are paying for their parents’ ill-judged friendship with Epstein all on their own.
Poor Beatrice and Eugenie were snubbed on what was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday on Tuesday, while it has been claimed Prince William has urged other royals not to be photographed with them.
They were even told not to attend Royal Ascot, although King Charles later issued a welcoming olive branch if his nieces do want to brave the storm and go.
But there is a way to sort this out, for Fergie and Andrew to look regal for once. Fly to the States and give evidence to US Congress about all they knew of Epstein’s private affairs.
It would be the regal and decent thing to do for Epstein’s victims. But it would also allow the pressure on their own children to ease.
If they do, I’ll happily eat Paul Daniels’ top hat.
