The royal family, once united, has been torn apart by allegations of misconduct against Prince Andrew. The three generations of the royal family have confronted the challenge differently, reflecting their personal stakes in Andrew’s downward spiral.
Queen Elizabeth II displayed eternal hope as a mother, while Charles showed cold impatience and William embarrassment. Charles issued a statement, saying “the law must take its course,” to distance himself from his brother. The late queen, however, moved with characteristic restraint, even after photographs surfaced of Andrew with Epstein in 2011.
Andrew’s scandals have long shadowed the institution he was born to serve. Charles has taken a different approach, using modern tools to strip titles and withdraw patronages. Prince William, on the other hand, is taking a harder line, showing little patience for his uncle’s behavior. The family frost was visible at a funeral outside Westminster Cathedral last year.
As Prince Andrew faces arrest and potential prosecution, the royal family must confront their own personal roles in enabling his actions. Charles has used blunt press releases to address the issue, while William has broken his silence on the Epstein revelations. The clock is ticking for the next generation of royals to take on the role and “clean the stables.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/02/23/andrew-charles-william-epstein-royal-scandal