It's discontent in Albion.
The British do not want to settle the slate of Prince Andrew, who has just made an agreement with Virginia Giuffre, in order to avoid a civil trial for rape and sexual assault in the United States.
If the amount between the two parties remains confidential, several estimates evaluate it between 7.5 and 12 million pounds sterling, or between 8.9 and 14.3 million euros.
The country is mired in inflation, suffers an increase in the price of basic necessities because of Brexit, and the government of Boris Johnson has been unable to stop the rise in gas and electricity prices (unlike the France).
Paying the queen's son's bill in addition in order to avoid prison for him does not pass at all.
Voices are raised to demand the transparency of the accounts, in particular those of the queen.
Indeed, as relayed by the BBC, it is highly unlikely that the brother of the future king of the United Kingdom has the funds necessary to settle the agreement.
Public and private funds
When Prince Andrew was active as a senior member of the royal family, he received £250,000 a year.
A sum he has not received since 2019, when the Epstein affair became critical for him and he officially retired in order to save the monarchy from scandal.
As a Navy retiree, he also receives a £20,000 pension.
It is therefore not with his emoluments that he could pay such a sum.
As for his possessions, the prince had acquired a luxury chalet in Verbier for 8 million pounds sterling with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, in 2015. The sale of this property is in progress.
This could cover part of the fees, but the account is not there.
All eyes therefore turn to Elizabeth II, who certainly has the necessary amount.
The crown's income comes both from taxes paid by the British (the Sovereign Grant) and from its extensive real estate (many of them lands in Yorkshire, Lancashire and London).
Every year, the Queen's accounts are published and citizens can see how what is taxed to them is spent by the palace.
Thus, last year, the crown received 86.3 million pounds sterling from the government to pay its staff, ensure its lifestyle, official travel or even maintain certain properties.
It remains to be seen whether the queen will put her hand in her pocket to financially help her “favorite son” and, mainly, which pocket it is.
Buckingham Palace has not yet commented.
World
Epstein case: Prince Andrew will avoid a trial after an agreement with Virginia Giuffre
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