The truth is Prince Andrew’s association with Epstein will always be part of his legacy

Amazon Prime's new drama series 'A Very Royal Scandal' oddly presents Prince Andrew with an opportunity to rebuild his tarnished image.

This dramatisation of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein signals what feels like the final wave of high-profile interest in the scandal.

After years of intense public scrutiny, is there any chance that Andrew could be embraced by the public with the same warmth as before?

The truth is Andrew’s association with Epstein will always be a part of his legacy - it won’t be erased or forgotten.

The notion that Amazon’s latest series could help this controversy fade away and allow Andrew to "move on" is unrealistic. The Royal Family must accept a difficult truth: Prince Andrew’s time in the public eye should have ended long ago.

There are rumours that the Royal Family is already trying to ease Andrew back into the fold, with Prince William driving his uncle to church as a public show of acceptance.

But is this really about family forgiveness? Or is there a more strategic motive behind this sudden display of unity?

According to well-placed sources, the real reason behind Andrew’s recent rehabilitation efforts is to prevent him from penning a book about his relationship with Epstein.

It’s not hard to imagine the family’s anxiety at the thought of another “royal rogue” after the storm Prince Harry created with Spare.

But while keeping Andrew close may prevent him from airing the Firm's dirty laundry, it does little to erase the damage he’s already caused.

The Duke of York remains a symbol of scandal, privilege, and excess - qualities that are out of sync with a modern monarchy trying to maintain its relevance in a changing world.

The idea that the Royal Family’s best move is to hold Andrew close, for fear of what he might do if cast aside, only shows how deep the monarchy's crisis of accountability runs.

In some ways, Prince Andrew has become the monarchy's most embarrassing relic. Squatting at the 30-room Royal Lodge as though it’s his right, while reportedly struggling to afford its hefty upkeep, makes him look less like a member of the upper class and more like an unwanted guest who refuses to leave.

Like I've mentioned before, King Charles needs to show his brother the one thing no one in Andrew’s life has ever dared to offer him before: the door.

King Charles has already cut Andrew’s allowance, leaving the Duke to fend for himself financially - if you can call living in a £30 million estate “fending for yourself.”

But Andrew still clings to the royal periphery, receiving lifelines like public appearances and a place at royal events. This is where the real problem lies: cutting off Andrew’s financial support is one thing, but allowing him to continue playing a role in the family’s public life sends the wrong message.

It signals that the Royal Family is willing to tolerate scandal if it keeps a lid on internal drama.

And let’s not forget about Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife and constant companion, who continues to hover in the royal orbit despite her own colourful past.

From her financial meltdowns to scandals involving cash-for-access, Fergie is no stranger to controversy. Together, she and Andrew have become the monarchy's ultimate PR nightmare - a couple whose every move reminds the public of the institution’s greatest failings.

It’s astonishing that, after everything - after the disastrous BBC interview, after the Epstein saga, after the constant drip of embarrassing headlines - the Royal Family still seems hesitant to sever ties with Andrew. Is it brotherly love? Fear of what he might do? Or simply an inability to recognise that the damage is already done?

Whatever the reason, King Charles must act. The public has lost patience with the Duke of York, and the monarchy’s willingness to shelter him only deepens the perception that the institution is out of touch.

If the monarchy is to remain relevant, it must demonstrate that even its most privileged members are subject to consequences.

It's time to cut off the safety net that allows Andrew to linger in the public eye. No more invitations to royal events, no more appearances alongside the Firm. The message should be clear: Andrew is a private citizen now, and the monarchy has moved on.

The Firm can no longer afford to let Andrew’s shadow loom over them. If they want to stand the test of time, they must show that even family ties have limits.

Prince Andrew's time is up. It's time for King Charles to send him packing - for the sake of the monarchy, and for the future of the royal institution itself.