Oops! The Prince formerly known as Duke drops another clanger!

Yes, sorry I missed it when l watched the first time. He's using "normal" in relation to her (and her family) social status compared to a "royal" prince. I'd say the same, I'm the norm - royalty is the exception. It would seem unthinkable she could win against a man of such standing, wealth and power who had abused her. She had spent years being coerced, used and abused by powerful men. She's brought one down, let's hope he is the first of many and let it be a warning to all abusers that there is no hiding place.

OldFrill

I have not heard Virginia Guiffre referred to as "normal girl" but her brother did say "normal family". He appears to be differentiating between commoners ("normal") and royalty (not commoners/not normal).
I think the family would like Andrew prosecuted, Charles certainly appears to believe wholeheartedly in Andrew's guilt.

I posted the link where the brother referred to her as a normal girl. It’s on another thread, but I can post it on here if you want.

Casdon, I think Sarah has the corgies. Maybe this will enable Sarah to move in to Sandringham with Andrew

When posters refer to VGs family, it’s her brother Skye and his partner. I’ve been impressed by her contributions. The brother is very emotional, understandably. I’ve seen no interviews with her parents. Goodness knows what kind of upbringing the brother had. He’s lost his sister who took her life as a result of the abuse she experienced throughout her life. I can’t find it in my heart to sneer or criticise.

Aveline, I’m with you on hoping some powerful men face prosecution. I’m still uncertain how Andrew could be one if them. The possible prosecution in New York ended when he paid her 12million

I’ve been following the story on the news sites, the latest, pivotal question is ‘Will Andrew keep the corgis?’ Sorry, I know it’s a very serious topic, but that did make me laugh.

Well said Aveline
And you Clinton.

Fine prosecute him but only if all the other men involved are prosecuted. It doesn't seem fair to use him as a sacrificial lamb while other creeps get off Scot free. I'm looking at you Trump.

I have not heard Virginia Guiffre referred to as "normal girl" but her brother did say "normal family". He appears to be differentiating between commoners ("normal") and royalty (not commoners/not normal).
I think the family would like Andrew prosecuted, Charles certainly appears to believe wholeheartedly in Andrew's guilt.

Aveline

Andrew is just the highest profile case. There must be dozens of other men worrying if they'll be exposed next.
Meanwhile, I'm not impressed at Guiffre's family going in about how she was just a normal girl from a normal family. She wasn't. She was pimped out by her father. Poor girl. I expect the family will be going after more money. Nobody will come out of this well.

Yes. What they’re saying is inaccurate.

$$$ will be flashing before their eyes and where were they when she needed protection?

Andrew is just the highest profile case. There must be dozens of other men worrying if they'll be exposed next.
Meanwhile, I'm not impressed at Guiffre's family going in about how she was just a normal girl from a normal family. She wasn't. She was pimped out by her father. Poor girl. I expect the family will be going after more money. Nobody will come out of this well.

Allira

ViceVersa
Yes. Most people are really quite unaware of what might be happening even in their own neighbourhood, let along amongst the rich on private islands away from the public gaze.

Exactly - if it can happen in almost any neighbourhood, in any part of the country, just imagine what goes on behind closed doors with those who have the money, power and influence...

Give it time. I suspect that we are just seeing a small fraction of his bad behavior right now. Heck, I am in the US and I have read stories about his behavior going back decades.

I am surprised at how many posters seem to be excusing him because he hasn't been charged for anything. There is still an ever growing mountain of evidence that he is not a good person, even if you don't take the possible SA I to account.

I have always wondered about Andrew and Fergie. I really wanted to believe they were still in love. Sweet summer child that I am. She will probably take the biggest hit here since Charles doesn't appear to be ensuring she can take care of herself. I haven't read any of her emails yet (or the book), but the vibe I am seeing in discussions is that she may be worse than he is.

ViceVersa
Yes. Most people are really quite unaware of what might be happening even in their own neighbourhood, let along amongst the rich on private islands away from the public gaze.

The grooming gangs is horrific. I suppose I'm playing devil's advocate. Andrew has never been accused of anything by anyone else. His association with Epstein is the issue. It does bother me though that people should be seen as innocent until proved guilty. There has never been a court case. It was settled out of court.

Epstein ran an upmarket grooming gang. So many high profile people involved. Trump for example. Very surprising that he somehow committed suicide in a prison cell...

Totally agree with both Allira and Iam64. I've sat through enough court cases in my time to have seen rapists and sex abusers from all walks of life. You could walk past them in the street and never know. One man was running a local after-school club and was seen as a pillar of the community - but was secretly abusing the boys in his care. They are cunning and manipulative and often lead double lives - presenting a respectable, 'decent' image to the outside world, while at the same time, carrying out their abuse in secret.

It is both disheartening and sickening, Iam64.

What I find horrific is the rôle of many women in aiding these men in their abuse of children and in murder too.

Allira

^The only people who know the truth are the people involved (if anything actually happened). I can't honestly see Andrew would have been stupid or immoral enough to knowingly get involved with sex trafficking or sleep with underage girls. He was a single/divorced man at the time so I'm sure he had a sex life but^ ..............

That's a very lovely thought gentleshores, but, sorry, it is entirely possible and the world is not filled with lovely, well-meaning people. You have obviously never encountered or dealt with the seamy side of life.

I'm lost for other words.

Sex offenders live amongst us. They’re often well liked and respected. The headteacher at our primary school a prime example, excellent head, happy family etc. allegations from his previous school dismissed by 90percent of parents. No prosecution because one of the children had been seen at CAMHS as a result but CPS said that was enough to stop a jury convicting a respectable middle class professional. Two years later more allegations, a year later more. No prosecution the la moved him into a senior admin role in their office away from children

Look at the delays in prosecuting the so called grooming gangs, the vanishingly rare prosecution of alleged rapists

Allegations are most likely to be met with scepticism and sympathy for the man

The only people who know the truth are the people involved (if anything actually happened). I can't honestly see Andrew would have been stupid or immoral enough to knowingly get involved with sex trafficking or sleep with underage girls. He was a single/divorced man at the time so I'm sure he had a sex life but ..............

That's a very lovely thought gentleshores, but, sorry, it is entirely possible and the world is not filled with lovely, well-meaning people. You have obviously never encountered or dealt with the seamy side of life.

I'm lost for other words.

I suspect Fergie is seen by the Royal Family as an issue so they want their image distanced from her. And she is probably not allowed to live with Andrew at Sandringham. But behind the scenes that's probably just a front and she will probably have a place nearby and them "stay with each other" if not actually officially live in the same place.

Andrews money problems all started with Fergie anyway I think.

I read that they're preparing for Ms Giuffre's book coming out and further allegations and it's damage limitation. I expect Andrew agreed to put the Royal Family image first. He'll have free accommodation at Sandringham by the sound of it. I also read William was involved in the decision as well, particularly as he was planning to move his family to the same estate where Andrew and Fergie are currently living. The mystery to me is the line about Sarah Ferguson will be making her own living arrangements. It seems unlikely that Andrew himself would choose not to live with her any more. So is this the Royal family saying - she can't live at Sandringham. Or is it Fergie herself trying to distance herself from the scandal (Andrew is no longer Prince Andrew). That seems unlikely as she has always supported him. But I think Fergie's email to Epstein recently published, may seem more damaging than Andrew's (which was bad enough if it was true). I do think any email can be read out of context. If someone was innocent then they would be assuming that this is someone out to make some money by making allegations. The trouble is we will never really know the truth! The only people who know the truth are the people involved (if anything actually happened). I can't honestly see Andrew would have been stupid or immoral enough to knowingly get involved with sex trafficking or sleep with underage girls. He was a single/divorced man at the time so I'm sure he had a sex life but ..............

The King and Queen were both mentioned in the announcement.

I'm sure she had some say in this.

The Queen is patron of ‘Safe Lives’,

I wonder if it was purely The King’s decision or whether William had an input?

Well, this is a positive turn up for the books. Well done that King and I’ll even acknowledge the Queen