U.S. Congressman Warns Epstein Fallout Could Shatter British Monarchy as Prince Andrew Loses Titles
A leading U.S. congressman has issued a stark warning that the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal poses an existential threat to the British monarchy, potentially marking its most fragile moment in modern history. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) stated that the revelations contained in recently released documents expose a “protected elite class” and could shake the institution “to its core,” suggesting the crisis extends far beyond the actions of disgraced individuals.
Deep Search: The Crisis Unfolds
The warning comes amidst a rapidly developing situation in the United Kingdom, where King Charles III has taken decisive action to distance the Crown from his brother. In a historic move following the release of over 23,000 files by the U.S. Department of Justice, Prince Andrew has been formally stripped of his remaining royal titles, including the style of “His Royal Highness” and the birth title of “Prince.” He is now officially recognized in private and public capacities as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The newly released files have intensified scrutiny on the former royal, with mentions of his name appearing over 170 times. The documents reportedly include logs and witness statements that allege a far deeper involvement with Epstein’s network than previously admitted, contradicting Andrew’s past claims that he had severed ties with the financier.
Background: A Royal Eviction
The stripping of titles is the culmination of a years-long scandal that has severely tarnished the Royal Family’s image. Following the loss of his military patronages in 2022, the King has now escalated measures by evicting Andrew from the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. The former duke is reportedly relocating to a smaller residence on the Sandringham estate, a move widely interpreted as a “quarantine” strategy to protect the remaining working royals from further reputational damage.
Recent allegations have also expanded the scope of the scandal beyond personal misconduct. British police are currently assessing claims that Andrew, during his tenure as the U.K.’s trade envoy, may have shared confidential government reports with Epstein—a development that could elevate the matter from a royal scandal to a diplomatic and national security issue.
Objections: Will the Monarchy Fall?
Despite the congressman’s dire prediction, royal experts and constitutional historians argue that the monarchy is resilient enough to weather this storm. Commentators point to the institution’s survival following the death of Princess Diana and the abdication crisis of 1936 as evidence of its durability.
“The monarchy has successfully quarantined the infection,” notes one royal historian. “By stripping Andrew of everything but his citizenship, King Charles has drawn a firebreak. The institution is bigger than one man.” Furthermore, recent polling data indicates that while Andrew’s popularity has collapsed to single digits, support for the Prince and Princess of Wales remains robust, suggesting the public distinguishes between the actions of one individual and the future of the Crown.
However, the “protected elite” narrative remains a potent threat. If further files reveal that the institution itself worked to shield Andrew from justice rather than just managing PR, the “fragile moment” warned of by U.S. officials could indeed become a constitutional crisis.
latimes.com
theguardian.com
