Prince Andrew Free to Travel Post-Epstein Scandal, Still a Royal Embarrassment

Prince Andrew, once dubbed "Air Miles Andy" for his globe-trotting ways, is reportedly free to travel again after years of self-imposed exile due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Yet, the shadow of scandal still looms large over the Duke of York. Royal insiders suggest that while legal barriers may have lifted, his reputation remains a burden to the British monarchy.

The disgraced prince, stripped of his military titles and patronages by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, has kept a low profile since his infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where he attempted to address his connection to the convicted financier. A Department of Justice memo confirmed Epstein’s 2019 death by suicide and found no evidence of a client list or blackmail scheme, offering Andrew some relief. Still, public opinion remains unforgiving.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams didn’t mince words: Andrew is seen as an "entitled imbecile" whose presence at royal events is tolerable only in the pews of a church. His future, at best, is a quiet one—far from the spotlight he once enjoyed. Another expert, Hilary Fordwich, noted that while Andrew may travel, the media’s scrutiny will be relentless, ensuring his tarnished image lingers.

Andrew’s settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged abuse tied to Epstein, further cemented his fall from grace. Despite maintaining his innocence, the prince’s association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking, has left him a pariah. Experts agree: King Charles III and Prince William are focused on protecting the monarchy’s reputation, leaving little room for Andrew’s redemption.

So, what’s next for the duke? He clings to his 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, but his role in the royal family is all but nonexistent. As one observer put it, "What’s the point of him?" For now, Andrew’s travels may resume, but they’ll likely be under a cloud of caution—and cameras.