Royal family uses Prince Andrew as a scapegoat to cover up bigger scandals

The Lownie book also fueled speculation about how Andrew financed his reported $15 million settlement with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre in 2022 — an amount he denies was an admission of guilt.

The source of those funds has never been publicly confirmed, although palace officials have long maintained that “no public money was used.”

Meanwhile, royal critics have pointed out that King Charles, 76, and Prince William, 43, both receive tens of millions of pounds annually through their private estates – figures that far exceed the salaries of most elected heads of state. But amid questions about royal transparency, Andrew’s scandals have proven a useful shield.

A former courtier said: ‘Every institution needs a cheater, and Andrew fits that role perfectly. His disgrace makes all others look like models of duty. The family won’t say it out loud, but they would rather see him ridiculed in the press than have the public ask where the money really goes.”

For now, the Duke remains largely silent – ​​with insiders saying his isolation serves ‘both his punishment and his purpose’.