Prince Andrew steps away from public duties over Epstein ties

[brooklynite]

Source: NBC News

Prince Andrew announced Wednesday that he is stepping away from public duties due to the controversy surrounding his past friendship with accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The Duke of York's announcement comes days after he discussed his relationship with the late, disgraced financier in a BBC Newsnight interview that primarily served to heighten public attention to the matter.

"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," Andrew's statement said.

"Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission," he continued.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/prince-andrew-steps-away-public-duties-over-epstein-ties-n1087066

[Aristus]

1. So now he doesn't have to do even ceremonial duties in order to justify all that wealth.

[NurseJackie]

2. Is "justifying all that wealth" the purpose of the Royal Family's ceremonial duties?

[Aristus]

4. Seems like it sometimes.

I can appreciate the fact that the Royal family serve in the military, and that Andrew is a decorated former combat helicopter pilot. Seems like now, he's just a parasite.

[NurseJackie]

5. And Camilla? What justifiable purpose does she serve? Prince Phillip? Is he also a parasite?

Seems like now, he's just a parasite.

Lord! What do you propose should be done with him then? How about Camilla? She's not as controversial, but I wonder, what "justifiable" purpose does she actually serve? I mean, what DOES she do all day long? Watching Eastenders, Coronation Street and busy with online shopping, I'll bet.

Then there's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh? Is he also a parasite? He's not doing anything these days. Even the Queen herself has stepped back from many/most of her official duties... I guess she's TOTALLY taking advantage of the situation, eh?

[lagomorph777]

9. Well, yes to all.

Although I suppose they do have some value as a tourist attraction and sales stimulator for tabloids.

[NurseJackie]

10. ...

[Haggis for Breakfast]

23. You do realize that Prince Philip is 98 years old ?

And Her Majesty is 93 ? Exactly how much work do you expect to be performing at that age ?

[NurseJackie]

25. I know! Right?

Ask the person I was replying to or the other one who replied to me.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

27. I'll be shocked if I even get past 80 !

[The King of Prussia]

12. I lived and worked in Weymouth

When he was based at Portland. Safe to say the matelots did not have a high opinion of him.

[3Hotdogs]

29. I believe they prefer to be called Parisians.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Exactly.

[moreland01]

6. Her Majesty indeed . .

Hope she slapped you up side the head along with her permission.

[ritapria]

7. I know the British People love the Queen

When she passes away, wouldn't it be time to ditch the Monarchy ?

[The King of Prussia]

11. Really?

I'm British. I loathe her. I don't know anyone who likes her, let alone loves her. Some British people love her no doubt, but then some British people love Trump.

[ritapria]

13. I don't have the advantage of living in the UK

I am informed by the US and UK media that she is beloved …...As a Yank , I think the whole institution is complete silliness

[The King of Prussia]

14. Not much advantageous about living here just now

As illustrated by the fact that our chief source of entertainment at the moment is half-witted nonce.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Which half-witted nonce?

Prince Andrew? Boris Johnson?

Brexit in general?

Anti-brexiters?

We in the U.S. don't pay a lot of attention to the half-wits in Britain: we have so many in our three branches of government.

Will the Queen's family gather at a big table for Christmas dinner? Will Charles kick Andrew under the table and laugh at him? Will the Queen tell both of them to behave?

[crazytown]

17. Boris is not a half-wit

In English speak, he is a bounder.

[The King of Prussia]

19. AFAIK

Johnson isn't a nonce.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

8. What exactly are royal duties?

Waiving to crowds?

[Jedi Guy]

18. Supporting/appearing at charities, goodwill tours to Commonwealth nations....

Diana was very involved in getting landmines cleared from Angola, for instance. Not to say she got out there with a metal detector and a shovel, but she brought attention to the matter and worked to bring funding to support the cause. I'm pretty sure all of the "working" royals (i.e., the ones who aren't "retired", like Philip) have causes and charities that they support in one way or another.

As much as Americans think the whole idea of a royal family is silly, it's not as if they spend the entirety of their lives lounging around sipping tea. If nothing else, they're a powerful symbol of continuity, given how far back the English monarchy goes.

[soldierant]

20. Attaching oneself to one or more projects

serving as a figurehead for them, but also learning about them and their issues, and helping out, I think in some cases maybe even with money, but certainly helping to raise awareness of them.

I don't know to what extent they have any choice in what they are working with, but I'm pretty sure it's more than one thing each. I know charles is into stately homes and national treasures of that kind, including their contents, but I only know that because I've seen him on Antiques Roadshow UK. I don't know whether that's his only job, or whether he has others. But that sort of thing. Things we in the states get government involved in when we can, and if we can't, some sort of NGO (like a charitable trust) usually gets formed.

(Does anyone besides me vaguely remember that Diana was into children's issues, I think particularly child hunger? Or am I
woolgathering again?)

And then, yes, of course, there are state occasions at which they are required to appear. And, yes, some are parties, or party-like. My experience is that even a good party is much less fun if you have to be there, let alone of everyone who looks at you is judging you.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

24. Princess Diana was involved with over a 100 charities, trusts and funds.

Her work with children comprised over 45% of them. She was also the patron of the Royal School of the Blind and the British Deaf Association (She even learned BSL.). She was dedicated to de-stigmatizing HIV/AIDS and her work in that area was signifigant. Her dedication to those royal duties were remarkable. And exhausting.

It annoys me that people who have NO IDEA what the royal family does feel they have any authority by which to criticize them.

Tourism ? Billions of pounds.

Tradition ? Priceless.

People who have NO reference to or knowledge of history should research the topic before they reveal their ignorance.

[soldierant]

33. Thank you so much.

I have paid little attention to the UK since political events in the US have hogged my time and attention, but I was still aware that the royals work, and work hard.

You obviously know a lot more details and I thank you for sharing some of them.

But I think it's also telling that someone who wasn't paying a lot of attention and didn't look everything up can still be aware that they are far from idle.

[crazytown]

16. Never a single word of sympathy for the victims.

His only regret is that Epstein got caught.

[soldierant]

21. The OP doesn't quote the entire linked article,

in which he does mention the victims. Too briefly, and not with a lot of depth, but he does regret that Epstein's death leaves them without closure.

[BigmanPigman]

22. Basically he is still denying it happened.

There is NO justice in either country in this case. Lying pigs!

[Kurt V.]

26. good thing he didn't commit the crime of being poor or selling weed.

[BeckyDem]

28. The pig is going on a long vacation?

[3Hotdogs]

30. My favorite royal photo, was some guy sucking on

Fergie's big toe, at the side of a pool

[3Hotdogs]

31. Oh, then there's my favorite royal story. That was when

a cell call between Charlie and Camilla was intercepted.

In it, Charles tells Camilla he wished he could be reincarnated as Camilla's tampon.

Now that is worth 10 Monty Python and 4 Mr. Bean shows.

[3Hotdogs]

32. -- and of course, Phillip has been the apex of humor to the

world.