The latest sad twists in the story of Mr Windsor have re opened the question of what should he do, where should he live and what should he be called. It was a long time ago he gave up all royal functions . It has raised constitutional issues and now involves Parliament.
The King has rightly agreed Mr Windsor should lose the titles and honours bestowed upon him. He and the PM have decided to accept the offer not to use the titles rather than removing them. Removal requires an Act of Parliament. This would likely pass quickly and not be opposed. It would be possible to get Opposition agreement to safe passage if it was the wish of both King and PM. It should include taking Mr Windsor out of the line of succession, unlikely though that is.
It appears Mr Windsor paid a substantial sum for what is now a rent free lease on the large Crown property. It appears Mr Windsor can continue to live there as long as he carries out the costly maintenance provisions. The total costs of staff, heating, maintenance and other running costs will require a substantial income which will need to come from personal effort or inherited investments.
It seems likely a Select Committee will now enquire into the Crown estates and the leases it offers. Clearly any property leased to a member of the royal family not wholly engaged in royal duties for the state should be a commercial lease at market prices. The Committee may wish not just to check the commercial terms of key leases but to consider how much state property should be available for the royal family, its relation to the sovereign grant, and on what terms. It needs to take account of the role of the royals in maintaining and improving state property, ensuring continuity of use for main properties and acting as hosts for many state occasions in those properties.
It would be much better if Mr Windsor moved somewhere else for a new more private life. Living abroad like Prince Harry would work better. Any royal family member who wishes to earn a living from commerce and contacts should not be a part time active royal receiving taxpayer support.A Minister of the Crown has to give up all remunerated and private sector activities the day they take office to avoid all conflicts and vulnerabilities to showing unfair favouritism to people and companies that pay them .
October 24, 2025
Well Andrew should certainly keep a low profile. He is obviously not too bright, has not behaved very well (which he obviously cannot help) and clearly feels rather entitled – but being born a prince does rather encourages this attitude is some people. Even Charles publicly got annoyed with staff because his pen did not behave!
But then Charles and William are also not too bright and they are foolishly damaging the very valuable institution of the monarchy hugely by endlessly interfering in politics. This usually on the wrong and rather deluded side especially on their do as I say not as I do. Climate Alarmism hypocrisy, their rather childish Earth Shot Prize, wanting to be a protector of all “faiths” and irrational belief systems. Also a fan of homeopathy, natural and quack medicine, impractical in terms of feeding the world’s population organic food. What do we call quack medicines when proven to work but just medicine.
October 24, 2025
Mr Windsor was the only member of the Royal Family to risk his life in the Falklands War.
October 24, 2025
Well done Reform, 12,000 plus votes in Caerphilly yesterday. Uniparty trailing in the dust. Not bad for a standing start.
October 24, 2025
@IAN WRAGG – yes & no. In Parliament which side of the House will the new MP be voting with? Socialist Labour, he is just waving a different flag but supports the same ideals
October 24, 2025
He was in a war zone it is true but it is less than clear that he was ever at risk. If he was at risk for a while forty-three years ago, so what? So were many more.
October 24, 2025
An excellent podcast the Hoover Institution (Jon Hartley and Arthur Laffer discuss his origins as an economist, including his relationships with George Shultz and Milton Friedman, the 50-year history of the Laffer Curve).
But Laffer made one mistake, he says people who earn 1000 times more should pay 1000 times more tax but why? Should people who live in a block of flats pay 1000 times more service charges than the poorer residents? Or 1000 times more for their butter.
Perhaps some justification for a little extra taxation so as to subsidise the genuinely sick and unable to work but 1000 times as much? So even a flat tax can be rather damaging. A tax cap should surely exist if you pay say £200k PA in Tax you should surely have to pay no more! Many places have this. Most wealthy people get rather little back from the state as they usually use private medical services and schools and get few benefits.
This especially true when governments, almost invariably, spend or invest it so poorly relative to the people they grabbed it off.
October 24, 2025
Does Mr Laffer think people being taxed 1000 times more will stick around for the punishment?
Remember the reaction to 95% income tax some years ago!
October 24, 2025
98% in fact 83% plus 15% investment income surcharge – from Denis Healey double first in Greats but zero common sense. Some ideas are so stupid that only intelectuals can fall for them!
October 24, 2025
A truly progressive tax system would have the wealthy and the poor paying the same percentage of tax on their income and purchases except necessities which are zero rated.
Council tax based on purchase price is also progressive. Capital gains is a reasonable tax, if tapered
Inheritance tax and stamp duty are the real theft.
Tax rates should be lower for all but those with more should pay proportionally more.
October 25, 2025
The main issue with capital gains tax is its largely a tax on inflation – there is no inflation adjustment
October 24, 2025
Yes, speaking of Mr Laffer, there ought to be a limit on how much tax we pay. We don’t have any at present, only the ability to vote the overtaxing government out.
October 24, 2025
@Piers – to deep, for those that like the give-aways. Everyone paying their fair share, how is that fair
October 24, 2025
Good suggestions, but focussing on depriving Mr Windsor of his titles and subsidised property is a distraction from the much bigger issue.
Our security services should reveal what they know regarding Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking/blackmail operation and whether influential, poweful people were/are compromised and by whom. After that we can decide what concrete action needs to be taken in regard to Mr Windsor, and others.
As things stand we are brushing what is probably an ongoing scandal of far greater proportion and significance under the carpet.
October 24, 2025
Agreed, Wanderer. I also think that at least some ‘intrepid investigative’ journalists might pursue a bit more the relationship between a certain mr Mandelson and Epstein – and ask why said Mr Epstein was received by the PM Tony Blair in No 10, or so a report in one of the broadsheets said.
October 24, 2025
There is an enquiry about child sexual exploitation in the offing. Perhaps this might take a look That way it can take a proper look at ethnic origins of other exploitation without being accused of racism.
October 24, 2025
Joanna Williams in the Spectator.
“Why Prince Andrew gets more attention than grooming gangs”
Why indeed? The rape and torture gangs and the collusion or negligence of social workers, carers, police, teachers, councils… was truly appalling – as is the current government’s and Mayor Kahn’s continuation of this turn blind eye agenda!
October 24, 2025
Spot on. Many of us have little interest in how stupid our royal family members can be. Dealing with rape gangs and the public officials that damaged the lives of thousands are a genuine priority.
October 24, 2025
Indeed and he can’t help being stupid?
From the Times todau. The Tories have accused Oxford University of “social engineering” after figures showed that it took a far higher percentage of black students who fell short with their A-level grades than white ones. Sixteen per cent of black UK undergraduates accepted in the past five years did not achieve their required grades, compared with 6 per cent for white British candidates and 2 per cent for Chinese-heritage students living in Britain.
Not just social engineering but blatant racial discrimination especially against the chinese it seems. Black candidates are already often given lower grade offers. Next they will be suing for getting lower grade degrees claiming the teaching and university exams are racist and want these degree grades adjusting too.
October 24, 2025
Then the Chinese student refused a place for dropping a grade will also be suing for the rather clear racial discrimination against them.
David Lammy says detaining the “one in, one out” migrant who was caught trying to slip back into Britain shows “progress”. It is more like 1000 in 1 out, 1 in then the 1 out returns too! “Progress” the deputy PM says – has he looked at the figures arriving so far this year?
October 24, 2025
Lifelogic
Afraid the Governments mathematics has been wrong for so long and so often, it is the reason we are in such a mess, the fact that they cannot even describe the method used properly (you do) shows how far we have gone down the explanation and spin line.
Just wait until you hear the Budget for further examples.
October 24, 2025
Lowering the standards means that every student will be getting a lower valued Oxford degree.
Our two centres of learning are burning, like the rest of the country.
October 24, 2025
Sir John.
Good morning.
The problem is that, no matter what people think or believe about Prince Andrew… (Yes Prince by birth right being the son of a monarch.) we are playing into the hands of Republic and it’s fanatical, single issue leader.
We are in danger of destroying our Royal Family and destroying even more, our national identity.
October 24, 2025
Indeed, I certainly do not want the Monarchy to be destroyed – it is very valuable. But Charles, William, George should certainly keep well out of politics and especially the climate alarmist con trick. Follow the excellent example of our late Queen!
October 24, 2025
@Lifelogic – in crossing the boundary, having a view they have created a problem for their very being. Unfortunately every ‘view’ nowadays is a political view as it sides with one faction against the other. The comparison should always be what were Queen Elizabeth’s views, she had the containment down to a ‘t’
October 24, 2025
Indeed even worste they usually take what wrong side too. But they should not take any side!
October 24, 2025
The late Queen agreed to become a common citizen of the EU and to deprive all her subjects of their birthright – British citizenship.
October 24, 2025
The queen was also tricked into helping push the net harm Covid Vaccines to her subjects!
October 24, 2025
The monarchy is there to protect its investments ….not the plebs
October 24, 2025
And to her family, many of whom now unexpectedly exhibit cancer.
But you can’t trick clever, competent people, although Bridgen had 2 jabs – unbelievable!
October 24, 2025
I’m very much a Royaliist but am beginning to think since the Queen died the monarchy had a limited shelf life. Yesterday KC3 was praying with the Pope and previously entertaining community leaders from the peace religion.
He endlessly interferes in politics especially on the climate scam.
Andrew at least served his country down the Falklands which is to his credit but he comes across as a pompous, arrogant entitled prick. A period of self isolation would be appropriate.
October 24, 2025
++
October 24, 2025
Ian
Your last paragraph sums it up for me, yes I have met him many years ago, at a Remembrance Service to commission the new Woodley War Memorial (paid for by local charities) in memory of those paid the ultimate sacrifice.
He arrived an hour late, and then left immediately the short service was completed.
Spoken to many servicemen during the course of my life, who gave the same description of him as yourself.
Afraid he needs to be taught a lesson and bought down to earth, and as much as I admired our past Queen for much of what she did, she failed to control his excesses.
October 24, 2025
@IAN WRAGG +1
You could almost suggest the head of the Church of England has become a Roman Catholic. Or maybe that’s his intention to turn the CofE over to Rome
October 24, 2025
+1
October 24, 2025
I’m afraid the Royal Family has destroyed itself.
The late Queen, Mrs Windsor until we reinstated her throne by voting for Brexit, knew of and approved the disastrous mistakes made by both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry.
We cannot afford Socialist Charles or William.
We need an authority to Defend our Constitution, a job the Constitutional Monarch has refused to do with disastrous consequences.
October 24, 2025
I believe he is still a princess, even if he is required to drop all his other titles.
October 24, 2025
Timing is everything.
Andrew, grubby as he may be, is just one unpleasant, high profile individual. However, he has provided Starmer with a welcome diversion in the news cycle from the fiasco of the grooming gangs inquiry.
I gather Starmer wants an inquiry into Andrew, yet the Government seems to keep having problems over a grooming gangs inquiry (I wonder why).
The scale and reach of the grooming gangs has left a deep and lasting stain on our nation that will persist long after the news cycle moves on from Andrew.
What is Starmer trying to hide?
October 24, 2025
I think an enquiry into Starmer is long overdue.
October 24, 2025
And acted as a squirrel deflection about China , forgotten in this obsession about Prince Andrew has been the Chinese spying trial , and not getting to the bottom of that, and the mega Chinese spy embassy . Two stories I happened upon yesterday was a threat from China to stop a Chinese wind turbine factory development because of the controversy of the embassy , and the Labour government planning to ignore the areas of the embassy plan that are blanked out.
October 24, 2025
An Inquiry into Andrew is the easy task – low hanging fruit – but the inquiry into Grooming gangs opens up all sorts of political and social problems which Labour does not want to face. I would like to see a block put on all future supposed legal immigration until we have got a better grip on our boarders. Any shortfall in our domestic labour needs could be met by addressing the £6.5m. on sickness benefit/PIP – surely there must be at least 10% of that total swinging the lead.
October 24, 2025
Indeed
October 24, 2025
+1 well said
October 24, 2025
Since he’s no longer a working Royal, he can’t be given a Royal job overseas.He obviously can’t be given anything remotely like a diplomatic role, or anything else where he is representing the British State. I doubt if Australia, Canada or NZ are going to want him, even as a private individual.
Unless Sarah Ferguson has a VERY strict gagging order at some point she’s very likely to publish a “Revenge on the Royals” biography, like Harry’s. I don’t believe it is impossible to get him out of Royal Lodge and into accommodation more suited to his diminished status, but he does still need security protection so somewhere on one of the Royal’s private properties would be best – Balmoral, Sandringham or elsewhere.
October 24, 2025
I would accept an offer for my house from Mr Windsor for at least x3 its value, but he must agree to it being his main residence. It is certainly smaller and would be limited for staff quarters, have smaller parking for a number of vehicles and presents fewer security issues.
He really needs to adjust to living alongside ordinary but not poor people.
Make me an offer Mr. Windsor.
October 24, 2025
If he accepts your suggestion this would free up Royal Lodge for a number of our overseas “visitors” to use in place of expensive hotels and comes complete with flunkeys to attend to their needs.
October 24, 2025
The problems with Prince Andrew have been greatly inflamed by the press and especially the BBC. The issues raised have nothing to do with Parliament, they are entirely the responsibility of the Crown i.e the King ( who also appoints parliament ! ) outside meddling by politicians and press just makes the Kings job more difficult. Parliament would be better deployed preventing the small boats!
October 24, 2025
Indeed , the BBC has been giving the Andrew story 24/7 coverage , for them there isn’t such a thing as too much air time given over to it . Newsnight covered the story on two consecutive nights. It reminded me of their obsession over the cake. I haven’t made up my mind if it was them looking after their comrades in the Labour party, or if it was their republicanism coming to the fore .
October 24, 2025
You make a good point and it might be recalled that so far as the tragic Giuffre person is concerned, Andrew may have not broken any UK laws notwithstanding the fact others acted illegally towards her. Further, so far as we know, there is no certain evidence of Andrew sharing Epstein’s interests. Yet the recent revelations of engagement between Andrew and Epstein continuing after Andrew had claimed contact had ceased is a matter of public interest.
October 24, 2025
As there has never been (and unlikely to ever be) any criminal charges laid for a prosecution, it is worth noting that if the alledged liason had been in 42 of the States of America, the UK or France and at least seven other EC nations,there be no case to answer.
October 24, 2025
I tend to agree but the King would greatly help himself by cutting out his “do as I say not as I do” and totally deluded climate hypocrisy.
October 24, 2025
The King certainly does NOT appoint Parliament!
The civil list and the reputation of those who represent Britain an any capacity has everything to do with each of us. We are the Sovereigns! It’s OUR country.
October 24, 2025
Yesterday, in an absolute humiliation for the anti-swans Reform limited company, they were roundly defeated by Plaid Cymru in the Caerphilly by-election. Large numbers of Labour supporters voted tactically for Plaid to keep Reform out
Plaid won the seat with 47% of the vote – a swing of almost 27% from Labour. Despite bringing out their big guns, Reform could only muster 35%.
On the doorsteps, many Plaid voters spoke of their dislike of Farage, the absolute shambles Reform are making of Kent County Council, the swans issue and his incessant running down our country whilst in America
October 24, 2025
Your conclusion very odd ! if Labour swing -27% and Reform +35% wouldn’t that suggest where the Labour voters went?
October 24, 2025
SG. Coming second with 13,000plys votes is hardly soundly defeated. Liebour got less than 4000 and the tories were also rans. Reform is a very real challenger to the uniparty and they’re running scared. What’s the betting your mate 2TK tries to postpone the coming council elections.
October 24, 2025
Tactical voting got us the two tier landslide.
Careful what you wish for.
October 24, 2025
I tend to think of Reform as more an English-centric party. In that case I raise an eyebrow to how well they did in Caerphilly. Reform don’t poll so well in Scotland either and they are redundant in NI because of the DUP.
The real big news is the collapse of the Labour vote. If only they would be true to their name and represent people who actually work.
October 24, 2025
Your windmill chums the Greens also operate as a limited company. So it must be better for the environment. Reform got 35% which is in line with their recent polling figures so is hardly a humiliation. But anyway, I’m more interested in your claim that people on the doorstep in Caerphilly raised the issue of swans – even for you that is an outlandish claim so I assume you’ve just made it up (in the same way you told us that solar panels were free the other day) ?
October 24, 2025
There is film of illegals catching swans in St James Park, and barbecuing them.
Some time ago as there are fewer swans about.
The best news from Caerphilly is that the Greens and Lib Dem’s did not figure.
October 24, 2025
SG
Yes congratulations to Plaid, but to be fair it is their Country, and if they cannot win there, then not much hope elsewhere..
The bigger problem with this result is for Labour, LibDems and the Conservatives.
October 24, 2025
You forgot to mention the scintillating performance of the big 2 traditional parties and that Reform UK managed 3 times as many votes as Lab/Tory combined. Yes a dreadful night for Reform UK.
October 24, 2025
Kent County Council must have been very troubling for the people of South Wales!!
October 24, 2025
Hardly, it was an excellent result for Reform at a first attempt, in a 100 year held Labour seat. For more votes than the Tories (2%) and Labour combined! The Plaid chap is a local councilor and has been standing many many times in that seat!
October 24, 2025
Will as much be made of the councillor’s 14 attempts to be elected as Nigel Farage’s mere 7?
October 24, 2025
The 14 were in the same seat so hardly comparable!
October 24, 2025
SG:
If you describe Reform’s +34% as an “absolute humiliation” how do you describe Labour’s -35%, Conservatives -15%, Liberal Democrat’s -1.2% and Green’s New 1.5%?
BTW I hope the Plaid Cymru voters are happy with Net Zero by 3035.
October 24, 2025
Off Topic..
Reform take 35% of big increase in voters at Caerphilly. Labour destroyed with only 11% as Plaid Cymru march on to 47%. The first ever Labour defeat there. The rest of candidates don’t get more than 2% each!
October 24, 2025
Although you say “The King has rightly agreed Mr Windsor should lose the titles and honours bestowed upon him” the title of Prince was to remain was it not, disappointing though that is?
Whilst abeyance might practically be the same as removal in Andrew’s case, removal is the more final and so more certain and would have been welcomed to set the precedent for dealing soon with Mr. Harry Moanbatten Whinger.
October 24, 2025
Not sure why you are calling him Mr Windsor, he hasn’t renounced use of the “Prince” title (only the HRH part) and it hasn’t been removed by the King either, so he is still Price Andrew. As for suggesting he should live abroad, why would any country want to have him given his terrible reputation ? Starmer cancelled the Rwanda scheme so that option isn’t there.
October 24, 2025
Other than shaking hands with the world’s movers and shakers (I was careful how I spelled that) can anyone tell us, what function Andrew ex Duke of York ever did for the considerable expenditure of public money lavished on him?
Just curious.
October 24, 2025
At least Mr. Andrew Windsor, unlike King Charles and his countdown clock, does not appear to want to drive the country into poverty and national insecurity by promoting the false climate crisis and pushing us to net zero our emissions of the very gas we need in our atmosphere for all life on the planet to survive. Water vapour is the biggest greenhouse gas and there’s no plan to reduce this gas in the atmosphere (yet). Fortunately, the greenhouse gases do warm the planet or else we would have a permanent ice age. But adding more CO2 to the atmosphere adds no additional warming (see Happer & Wijngaarden) and in fact water vapour in the upper atmosphere cools the planet by radiating energy to space.
October 24, 2025
I’ve never been a Royalist, always ambivalent toward them.
Queen Elizabeth fulfilled her duty well. Her family were and remain a dysfunctional shower. I resent paying for them to enjoy the trappings of privilege.
King Charles is about as hopeless as is possible.
He has come to the throne late in life and I can’t see him remaining in position long.
When Prince William becomes King I predict he will be the last Monarch of Britain. I think the royalty thing is outdated.
Due to my age, I’ll never know if my prediction is accurate.
October 24, 2025
Assuming we do need a head of state – who would you be happy to pay the trappings of privilege for? A politician who buys votes or one born to it?
October 24, 2025
One born to it – so long as they keep out of politics, smile, cut ribbons and declare things open.
October 24, 2025
We don’t need a Head of State, the PM can do the job.
October 25, 2025
We would be far better off with Queen Anne II than the weak, climate-obsessed, WEF-supporting King Charles III.
When William becomes King, I hope Catherine drums some sense into him. Otherwise, I think he’ll be William the last.
October 24, 2025
As a child, I lived in a Crown Estate leasehold property in Ascot (not as grand as the Royal Lodge though!) My parents (who had no royal connections) paid a nominal ground rent of about £10 per annum for their repairing lease, so unless things have changed since then, Prince Andrew is not being treated more favourably it would seem.
October 24, 2025
Lois
Just missed out on a building plot on crown estate land on a 999 years lease about 45 years ago. we ended up building elsewhere, that Crown land had a peppercorn ground rent as well, but then all other costs to build/mortgage/bank loans were down to me.
I assume if your house was leasehold then some other form of payment would also be required, purchase, or annual rent.
October 24, 2025
What in Britain we call the Royal Family, is hard to relate to let alone have a view on. The first perception is that a Royal Family is the direct descendant of the Country’s founding family/leader, that is a long way wide of the mark. That’s the thing they are not. I would ‘guess’ there are people with more links to the Wessex or Stuart Families within the general population both here and abroad than from within those we call the Royal Family.
Great Britain as a constitutional monarchy, where a family is seen and is not heard is not a problem, it’s a tourist attraction. Democracy is supposed to be our guide, our legislators, even that is for the moment being trashed by egotist that are going beyond sensibilities and duty. If the Monarch was truly head of state, the head of the countries church even with their very limited purpose and responsibility neither (Parliament/Royals) would have wondered so far astray.
Then again human sensibilities suggest that it is wrong to keep people caged up this way as an amusement. Let them out, let them do what they want. It’s the Media after a fast buck that keeps the myth going. As for Andrew who cares, I quite often see him driving around, just as his father did. Although his father liked to stop and say hello.
What I am not is a Republican, that seems to be the worst of all Worlds – but I am a Democrat. With how we have been ruled, some call it governed this century we have never been closer to ‘needing’ our ruler being directly elected separately to Parliament selecting one for us. So, I am contradicting myself just as those that arrive in a position of power contradict their purpose.
What is called the Royals just as with this Government, the shower in Parliament, they are no royal family of mine, in the way parliament and its leader doesn’t represent me.
October 24, 2025
The position of King used to be competitive. Thus the deadwood was sidelined. The problem we have is primogeniture.
October 25, 2025
True. The Anglo-Saxon Lords chose the King from a small number of “qualified” people ….. qualified by their lineage, age and ability.
That system passed the crown to Alfred (the Great) since the sons of the previous king were too young and inexperienced to rule.
October 24, 2025
Andrew should go and live somewhere abroad, taking his equally unpleasant wife with him. Sadly, he is now unemployable, so it is difficult to see how he can make any contribution. It is a sad situation, but one he has brought on himself.
October 24, 2025
The whole discussion today seems to have played into the hands of our failing Parliament and its government. It’s a distraction, the dead cat on the table!
The grooming gangs are set to be, the rape of young girls, swept under the carpet.
The ever-increasing uncontrolled expenditure requiring massive tax and borrowing
The MOD being told to find £2billlion in savings after all the promises to beef up our defence and security
The give-away of Chagos and the shady deals that surround it
On and on massive failures from those we empower and pay. Yet the pick up is a sideline of an internal family issue were no party is allowed to defend or comment.
Personally thinking, this subject appears to have come straight from Labour’s new spin doctors, doing their job in keeping everyone off the backs of the incompetent leadership this nation has
Reply This blog has raised all the issues you rightly raise and will do so again
October 24, 2025
Couldn’t agree more. Well said Ian B.
October 24, 2025
@Reply – Sir John I am sure you will. But, it seems no coincidence that labour has a new spin doctor. New spinning and push for a change of narrative, just as Farage is blamed for Brexit, and Brexit is blamed for ‘black holes’ . Labour as a government have never been more dire, cost us so much, screwed our future and yet the stories hitting the media are all deflection, deflection away from reality.
I wasn’t suggesting you were doing anything more than asking why. It should have been a question that asked why all the focus on something that’s irrelevant
October 24, 2025
There should be no inquiry into Prince Andrew.
There should be a criminal investigation.
October 24, 2025
You will have to allege the crime, get CPS to prosecute (good luck with that) or discover sufficient grounds from an inquiry.
October 24, 2025
I saw Andrew waving the union flag once ….isn’t that enough nowadays, for arrest
October 24, 2025
good spot.
October 24, 2025
Read ‘Entitled’.
October 24, 2025
I was a Royalist when I was younger. But I have spent enough time in VIP lounges on my own merit now, and been talked down to enough by the British ruling classes, that I am firmly in favour of abolishing the monarchy now. Just scrap the whole thing, it is a nonsense.
October 24, 2025
There is also inverse snobbery too in this country!
We should all try and live by the motto of being able to talk with and enjoy the company of everyone from a mighty king down to a humble beggar on the street (the poor beggar might have some mental issue or had parents or a spouse who were beasts to him or he lost all his money in a business venture, alcoholic gene, whatever, – everyone deserves a second .. and many chances in life, including Prince Andrew but he has to come clean).
October 24, 2025
Ah. Rudyard Kipling IF!
October 24, 2025
No King in a Democracy is ‘mighty’. A figurehead only. Being a figurehead has proven too difficult for Charles.
October 24, 2025
@ Iain Gill – Perhaps your time in VIP lounges was not the full experience you suppose for I thought it was the case that the British ruling class look down on our Royalty?
October 24, 2025
Agree, and does our PM still meet with the King once a week, why? he’s not elected, and why do we still have religious leaders in parliament ? I thought we’ve in the 21st century
October 24, 2025
‘and why do we still have religious leaders in parliament ?’
– We’re a Christian country. Without the influence of, Islam would become the dominant religion. That means instead of church bells ringing in your village or town or city, you’d be hearing the call to prayer to the local mosque. Imagine Dad’s Army with Lance Corporal Jones and Captain Mainwaring in a mosque instead of the beautiful, charming, medieval Christian church.
Also, there are lots of atheists who are happy to support our Christian heritage and values.
October 24, 2025
The ‘Mr Windsor’ saga has been allowed to drag on far too long. This sordid issue has brought shame on The Royal family and should have been resolved some years ago. Frankly, I’m not interested in his place of resident provided the tax payer is not funding it. Yes he should seek paid employment to help fund his lifestyle like the rest of us have to do?
October 24, 2025
Andrew Windsor is toxic, I very much doubt he could secure employment, save the prospective employer is of a similar nature. Windsor is not a modern day John Profumo.
October 24, 2025
Have I missed something? I was not aware that anything has been proven against Prince Andrew. This is lynch mob tactics against the Monarchy and everything connected with it – a sad day for the historic sovereignty of our beloved country. I also believe there is huge hypocrisy surrounding the issue.
October 24, 2025
You have missed something. Read ‘Entitled’.
October 25, 2025
There is a grain of truth in what you say. However, the thing about Prince Andrew is that he is hard to bring to account because he is a royal. And if there is one thing people have no tolerance for and that is the use and abuse of young women. Prince Andrew was clearly fairly closely connected to Epstein.
If Prince Andrew believes he’s completely innocent then he should come clean and reveal everything. If innocent, then he is owed an apology. If not, then he must face the law. Something like that.
It’s all a bit grey, not black-and-white but for his own sake and the sake of the Royal Family, Prince Andrew has to cooperate more and be completely open about the past. Then we can all move on.
October 24, 2025
You’ve covered the issues, Sir John which in my view confirm this government are using the Prince Andrew saga as a distraction.
Am unsure what is true fact, and am not really interested except i know i don’t have them so can’t judge him, but feel as he’s unable to respond, demonising him has raised unnecessary nastiness. Am frankly shocked by it all.
What do we ACTUALLY KNOW as fact surrounding his public sentencing and punishment? Very little.
October 24, 2025
Maybe its time to consider a republic with the head of the upper chamber, the Lord Speaker as head of state
October 24, 2025
Yes, and an end to all of these ridiculous titles.
October 24, 2025
Andrew Windsor is innocent until proven guilty. The UK police have said that they won’t investigate and it’s up to the American police to do something. People can presume what they want about Andrew it’s their opinion.
October 24, 2025
I thought it was only the title “Duke of York” that he has had taken away. As he was born a prince it would seem impossible to deny him his birthright.
October 24, 2025
No, the Prince title can be removed too and some authorities (commenting on Harry’s case) suggest the King acting alone could remove the prince title although state that having an Act of Parliament provide for such removal would be the better course as it would deny all possibility of legal challenge.
October 24, 2025
John can the government continue to cancel local elections in times of peace ?
Reply If a majority of MPs back that. It can change the law to stop local elections if it runs out of powers under current legislation.
October 24, 2025
While I do not admire this man, he has a valid lease on the property he occupies. In London, and I imagine elsewhere, the only rent payable on a Leasehold property is ground rent, which is often peppercorn. My downstairs neighbours are supposed to pay £12.50 every six months – but they never do. It sounds to me as thou
gh the politics of envy has a lot to do with it. Have people really not got better things to do than to kick an arrogant git when he is down?
October 24, 2025
“It would be much better if Mr Windsor moved somewhere else for a new more private life. Living abroad like Prince Harry would work better.”
What about security? Would it not cost a lot more if Mr. Windsor lived abroad? Or would UK security be removed?
October 24, 2025
I would urge you to support our Monarchy
A bastion against the forces of Marxism.
Perhaps realise that those trying to ruin him are those who would prefer a President…Blair…or May…..or Johnson..etc..
October 26, 2025
Indeed.
October 25, 2025
We most certainly haven’t got but need a King Arthur and King Richard the Lionheart
October 25, 2025
Give me the map there. Know that we have divided
In three our kingdom: and ’tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we
Unburthen’d crawl toward death.
King Lear
October 27, 2025
I agree. Prince Andrew should be stripped of all his titles and removed from the home he has a valid lease for, after having been found guilty of… what exactly?
He was friends with a man who is now dead. A woman who is now dead alleged that when she was of legal age he had sex with her. None of the other women involved with Epstein allege anything against Prince Andrew. I am not his biggest fan, but I cannot stand witch hunts.