PRINCE Andrew is turning 65 this month, and his birthday is a reflection of the “many wasted years ahead”, according to a royal expert.
The disgraced Duke of York Prince paid millions to Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre in an out-of-court settlement three years ago, while denying sexual assault accusations.
Prince Andrew has ‘many wasted years ahead’, according to a royal expert[/caption]
And now is said to be too scared to visit the US again amid fresh calls for an FBI probe into the Epstein scandal.
Andy, 64, has left the UK only once in almost six years.
Royal author Phil Dampier said that his birthday will be a time of reflection of the “bad position” he is in.
Speaking to Fabulous, the expert shared: “He’s 65 so that brings it home to you, the sort of bad position that he’s in.
“He’s now 65 and has many, many wasted years now ahead of him that he could have been doing something useful, and he’s no longer going to be doing that.”
The royal author shared how Prince Andrew may be hopeful of turning things around, but stated he didn’t think this was possible.
Andrew was forced to step back from royal duties following a disastrous interview on BBC’s Newsnight in November 2019 in which he refused to condemn his relationship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
Phil added: “I personally think he still possibly harbours thoughts about eventually being able to make a comeback.
“But I think that’s a non-starter, to be honest.”
It has long been rumoured that King Charles, 75, is running out of patience with his younger brother, who is said to spend all day “watching TV in a dark room” like a prisoner at his “crumbling” home, Royal Lodge.
Charles is said to have wanted Andrew out of the house for years, and wishes him to move into the much more modest Frogmore Cottage, which is also in Windsor Great Park.
Phil continued: “It is a big problem for him and for the king.
“What is he going to do with the rest of his life?
“At 65 it does emphasise that it’s a great, great waste.”
Siege of Royal Lodge
Prince Andrew spends a lot of his time at Royal Lodge[/caption]
Photos show the façade of Royal Lodge is crumbling and in need of repairs[/caption]
Andrew, who moved into Royal Lodge, the former home of the Queen Mother, in 2004 – has refused to move, after taking on a lease that lasts until 2078.
As part of the agreement, Andrew is obliged to maintain repairs on the property.
But there is increasing doubt cast on this possibility, since the recent appearance of photographs that appear to show the mansion in a poor state – with peeling paint and black mould.
There is new controversy after it was revealed that Prince Andrew has now found a mystery benefactor willing to stump up millions of pounds to help him keep his publicly owned home.
Inside Prince Andrew’s ‘crumbling’ Royal Lodge
THE disgraced Duke of York resides at the £30million Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire – at least for now.
King Charles has redoubled his efforts to evict the Duke – with insiders branding the stand-off the “siege of Royal Lodge“.
Despite his divorce from Sarah Ferguson in 1996, Prince Andrew lives with his ex-wife at the countryside estate.
Prince Andrew’s royal residence, with its eye-catching white exterior, boasts 30 rooms with plenty of space for entertaining, plus seven bedrooms spread across the two topmost floors.
The Duke of York is said to spend all day “watching TV in a dark room” like a prisoner at his “crumbling” home.
Royal Lodge is said to “need extensive repairs”, thought to be about £400,000 a year.
The monarch is said to be becoming increasingly frustrated at Andrew’s refusal to care for the colossal mansion.
Andrew is said to have promised King Charles he would take care of its expensive repairs – despite having no apparent source of income.
New family arrival
Phil stated that Prince Andrew will no doubt be placing his efforts on the family’s new arrival, Athena.
It was reported last week that Princess Beatrice has given birth to her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Their baby daughter was born several weeks prematurely and is said to be healthy and doing well – weighing 4lb 5oz.
He’s [Andrew’s] now 65 and has many, many wasted years now ahead of him that he could have been doing something useful
Phil Dampier
Phil stated: “He’ll [Andrew will be] obviously be delighted with the arrival of his fourth grandchild.
“The whole family would dote on the children, and that will give him something to occupy him.
“In terms of royal duties, I think he’s finished.”
Andrew’s daughter Princess Beatrice has just given birth to a second child[/caption]
Little Athena was born several weeks prematurely but is said to be healthy and doing well[/caption]
Andrew’s birthday
Speaking of his 65th birthday celebrations, the royal author stated that celebrations will be lowkey.
He shared: “I don’t think there’ll be any great celebrations. They [the royal family] might wish him a happy birthday online.
“Obviously he didn’t go to Christmas this year or last year.
“At the moment, it’s extremely difficult for him, and I think he’s going to keep out of sight.
“Easter will be in the next time when the whole family gets together, and we’ll be interested to see if he turns up for that.”
I personally think he still possibly harbours thoughts about eventually being able to make a comeback. But I think that’s a non-starter, to be honest
Phil Dampier
It comes after the Duke of York’s relationship with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo – who helped broker deals – was ruled a “threat to national security”.
Andrew cultivated Chinese officials, including seeking advice from a communist minister and having covert meetings with the country’s ambassador, according to documents, reports the Times.
It has further raised concerns that Andrew was willing to use his royal status for his own private benefit regardless of the risk of compromising Britain’s security interests.
Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo with Andrew[/caption]
