Why sending Prince William to Saudi Arabia is a ‘mind boggling’ mistake for the Royals
Prince William is visiting Saudi Arabia, while heat intensifies at home on his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. But in meeting the country’s Crown Prince, has he run headfirst into another Epstein scandal?
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In brief…
- Prince William is visiting Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – who is named in the Epstein Files, and who Jeffrey Epstein claimed he was close with.
- The News Agents say if the idea of the visit was to distance himself from claims against his uncle, then the Royal Family has made a “mind boggling” error.
- The scandal has followed the Prince abroad, as he was questioned while in public by a man demanding to know if he believed the Royal Family had done “enough” in dealing with Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
What’s the story?
It probably seemed like a good idea to Buckingham Palace – get Prince William, heir to the throne, away from the Epstein scandal which threatens to engulf the Royal Family while the heat is on.
But if getting Prince William out of the Epstein media glare and into the spotlight with a trip overseas, a meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia might not have been the best option.
Mohammed bin Salman was linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and while he denies involvement, it is widely believed – and openly stated by leading political figures – that the killing could not have happened without his knowledge.
Perhaps even more uncomfortable for the fleeing Prince William, Mohammed bin Salman is also named numerous times in the Epstein Files himself, with the convicted sex offender claiming to have known him well.
"The Royal Family has tried to usher William away from one Royal Family Epstein scandal, and unwittingly, they've pushed him towards another," says Emily Maitlis.
"Because actually the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is all over the Epstein files.
"This does not, as we always say, imply criminal wrongdoing, but Epstein claimed he knew him very well."
How was Mohammed bin Salman connected to Epstein?
Documents in the Epstein Files reveal that the sex offender offered to become the Crown Prince’s financial confidant.
"We don't know if that role ever materialised, but the idea that William is running headfirst into Mohammed bin Salman thinking he's got away from the Andrew scandal and the Epstein scandal at home is absolutely mind boggling – and nobody at the palace or in government seems to have even recognised that yet."
And despite travelling thousands of miles from media scrutiny in the UK, Prince William still faced personal Epstein pressure when he was questioned about his uncle during a walkabout in Saudi Arabia.
During the walk, a man asked if the Royals had done enough regarding Andrew’s links to Epstein. The Prince did not respond.
What is Prince William running from at home?
While much pressure remains on the government, Keir Starmer and its dealings with close Epstein friend Peter Mandelson, there is growing pressure on Andrew to reveal the extent of his involvement with Epstein.
King Charles has said he will cooperate with any police investigation into his brother, while the only statement from Prince William and Princess Catherine was a brief statement saying they are “deeply concerned” about new revelations and that their thoughts are with Epstein’s victims.
“The King has made it entirely clear that Andrew is on his own,” says Emily.
“He doesn't have the title, and he doesn't have the Royal residence, and he doesn't really have anything more to do with the Royal Family.”
Lewis Goodall says it is time for the focus to turn on Andrew, and the Royals.
"With the government, we're talking about a man who was connected to Epstein – but as far as we know, there is no suggestion of actually partaking in what happened sexually," he says.
"But with the Royal Family and Andrew, there are allegations he was a direct part of that – which have always been denied.
"Therefore you might think the pressure and the desire for scrutiny on the Royal Family would be even greater than on the government, but it isn't really ever there, because it's just considered impolite to ask."