Amidst the gusty winds sweeping across Windsor Castle, Prince Andrew was recently seen engaging in his weekly ritual of horse riding, however, his usually impassive demeanor seemed notably subdued.
This observation comes shortly after unsettling claims against him surfaced in a new memoir by former masseuse Monique Giannelloni, New York Post reported.
These claims relate to an encounter in the year 2000, which was reportedly arranged by Ghislaine Maxwell, a figure already mired in controversy due to her connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
Monique Giannelloni, in her forthcoming book, recounts an uncomfortable experience with Prince Andrew. According to her, the session took place at a time when Ghislaine Maxwell introduced her to the Prince as someone "more famous than God."
During the massage, Prince Andrew is alleged to have dropped his towel and climbed onto the massage table unclothed, an act that Giannelloni did not expect from a member of the royal family. "He did not do anything or suggest anything untoward, but I was very uncomfortable and a bit shocked that he had acted like that," she recalls in her memoir.
While Andrew did not make any inappropriate advances, Giannelloni’s discomfort was palpable. "I expected more from a member of the royal family," she expressed, indicating her dismay at the lack of decorum. Further reflecting on her experience, she noted, "Andrew’s reputation has been sullied by his friendships with those two people," referring to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
These relationships, she suspected, might have been an attempt by Maxwell to draw her into their controversial lifestyle, adding, "I have a lot of questions and a significant one is: was Ghislaine trying to involve me and Andrew in her sordid lifestyle?"
The broader context of Prince Andrew's relationships with Epstein and Maxwell complicates this new allegation. Maxwell, who played a role in several meetings between high-profile individuals and Epstein, was convicted in 2021 of recruiting young women for Epstein and is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
Notably, a photo from March 2001, which captured Prince Andrew with Maxwell and Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre), has become emblematic of his ties to Epstein's network. Epstein himself died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
These continuous revelations chip away at the public image of the royal family, bringing recurring scrutiny to their associations and actions.
As Prince Andrew rides through the cold at Windsor Castle, the repercussions of his past actions and friendships continue to cast long shadows over his public appearances and the royal family's reputation. His downcast appearance did not merely reflect the dreary English weather but also seemed to mirror the dark clouds that persist in the backdrop of his public life.
Given the weight of the situation, it remains to be seen how these new claims will affect his standing, both within the royal family and globally.
It is clear that the Prince's past decisions, particularly his relationships with Epstein and Maxwell, have embedded him in ongoing controversy that not only challenges his reputation but also imposes broader implications for the monarchy.
As the details from Giannelloni’s memoir circulate, further scrutiny is likely to follow, prompting discussions about accountability and the delicate balance of privacy and public interest in royal affairs.
