PR expert says Prince and Princess of Wales must restore monarchy’s integrity following Epstein scandal that led to Prince Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct
The Prince and Princess of Wales will have the task of rebuilding the “integrity of the royal family” damaged by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a PR expert has suggested.
William and Kate, as the future of the monarchy, will in years to come need to set out their vision for the institution, now in crisis following the Epstein scandal that simmered for years and finally resulted in Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said the couple faced the question of “how do they establish the integrity of the royal family?”.
He added: “Really, what do William and Kate do? What do their generation do with the crown, with all its soft power, its affairs of state, it’s beginning to feel a little bit like a European monarchy.
“The pressure on William to communicate what the royal family is going to be over the next 50 years falls squarely on his shoulders.
“The heavy weight of this burden on the royal family’s reputation lies with William and Kate and what they’re going to do.”
William has already said “change is on my agenda” when he comes to the throne but he may have to open himself and the monarchy up to greater scrutiny as long-held attitudes towards the royal family die out. The pair have been in harmony with the King’s choices to distance the royal family from Andrew, with Charles initially stripping his brother of his titles last year and then releasing a resolute statement a few hours post his arrest on Thursday which declared “the law must take its course”.
Public sentiment is paramount, as the monarchy’s authority fundamentally rests on the backing and goodwill of everyday folk.
The reverence towards members of the monarchy, who reside in palaces, are driven to events and possess personal wealth, has endured for centuries and arguably contributes to their preservation.
Broadcaster David Dimbleby, who recently hosted the BBC documentary series What’s the Monarchy For?
commented about certain members of the royal family: “Well they behave like people who are spoiled by entitlement.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme on Friday, he elaborated: “Not all of them, Princess Anne, a paragon of virtue, wonderful, it’s not universal.
“But they’re lost in that world, nobody’s saying ‘come on pull yourselves together, do this, do that’.”
Recent developments could lead to MPs and peers formally discussing the issues surrounding Andrew’s association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Labour peer Lord Foulkes told the World at One: “I think there is now a clear expectation that there ought to be much more scrutiny.”
The politician revealed that he has reached out to MP Liam Byrne, the chair of the Business and Trade Commons Select Committee, to “look” into Andrew’s role as a trade envoy. However, he admitted that this might prove challenging now that the police have launched an investigation.
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