The Prince and Princess of Wales face taking on the of rebuilding the “integrity of the royal family” damaged by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a PR expert has said.
Future monarchs William and Kate will need to make their vision for the institution, now in what some have suggested is its worst crisis for 90 years, clear in order to rebuild public trust.
It comes after Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday following the Epstein scandal that simmered for years.
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.
However, he may have to open himself and the monarchy up to greater scrutiny as long-held attitudes towards the royal family die out.
The couple have been in lockstep with the King’s decisions to distance the royal family from Andrew.
Charles stripped his brother of his titles in 2025, and then issued an emphatic statement a few hours after his arrest on Thursday which stated “the law must take its course”.
Public opinion is all-important, with the authority of the monarchy ultimately founded on the support and goodwill of ordinary men and women.
The deference towards members of the monarchy, who live in palaces, are chauffeured to events and have personal fortunes, has persisted for centuries and arguably helps sustain them.
Broadcaster David Dimbleby, who recently presented the BBC documentary series What’s the Monarchy For? some members of the royal family “behave like people who are spoiled by entitlement”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme on Friday, he added: “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’.”
The events of the past few days could see MPs and peers formally discussing the issues around Andrew’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Labour peer Lord Foulkes told World at One: “I think there is now a clear expectation that there ought to be much more scrutiny.”
The politician said he has contacted MP Liam Byrne, chairman of the Business and Trade Commons Select Committee to “look” into Andrew’s work as a trade envoy but conceded it may be difficult now the police are investigating.
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