Angela Rayner, the UK Deputy Prime Minister, has made waves with her outspoken criticism of Prince Andrew, characterizing him as "that nonce" and actively trying to prevent him from serving as one of the King’s deputies. According to the upcoming book Get In, authored by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, Rayner took significant steps to lobby against the Duke of York’s involvement after King Charles ascended to the throne.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the official list of royals designated to serve as councillors of state included Prince Andrew, alongside Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Princess Beatrice. Under normal circumstances, this position allows these individuals to take on royal duties if the King is unavailable. Rayner, reportedly alarmed by Andrew’s links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, sought to remove him from this list. She was quoted saying, “I’m not going to vote to keep ‘that nonce’ on… I can’t go back to my constituency and say, ‘Yeah, I support this.’”
Rayner’s determination to shield the monarchy’s integrity included reaching out to Buckingham Palace and senior civil servants. An advisor recounted her efforts, stating, “She was very actively reaching out to the Palace, the upper echelons of the civil service, and said she thought this was a huge problem… and would offer cross-party support to make sure it happened.” This reflects Rayner’s intention to tackle what she perceived as a significant issue for the government, rather than her being anti-monarchist.
The negative spotlight on Prince Andrew intensified following revelations about his correspondence with Epstein. Emails presented to the court disclosed interactions between Andrew and Epstein extending to February 2011, contradicting Andrew’s claims of severing ties as of December 2010. Notable among these was an email where Andrew urged Epstein to “keep in close touch,” raising eyebrows again about his denial of wrongdoing.
This newly disclosed information not only amplifies Rayner’s concerns but also sheds light on the potential for renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s past, including allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who accuses him of sexual abuse during her teenage years. Despite paying Giuffre £12 million to resolve the claim without admitting liability, Andrew maintains he has no memory of ever meeting her.
Rayner’s public stance has generated significant media attention, with her comments reflecting broader public sentiment around accountability within the royal family. The desire to see Prince Andrew removed from royal duties has found support among various quarters of the political spectrum, motivated by his controversial associations.
Notably, calls for Andrew's dismissal have circulated since King Charles become monarch, alongside growing demands for Prince Harry’s removal from potential royal responsibilities. Angela Rayner emerged as one of the leading voices advocating for these changes, wielding political power to bring about necessary reform.
Her frustrations are emblematic of Labour's strategy to distance itself from the monarchy's problematic figures, presenting itself as advocates for ethical governance. An aide elucidated this perspective, saying Rayner was motivated by her working-class background, emphasizing her belief the government should not turn a blind eye to Andrew's past.
Even as this controversy continues, Andrew maintains his stance, asserting he behaved appropriately throughout. His past interview with the BBC, where he tried to absolve himself of any wrongdoings, has since been labeled disastrous, impacting his public image severely and giving rise to calls for renewed investigations.
With the impending release of Get In, which reflects on the dynamics within the Labour Party during the transition of power, the revelations around Angela Rayner and her bold moves against Prince Andrew reveal significant factional tensions within British politics. How this plays out remains to be seen, as the political and public discourse continues to evolve around the monarchy and its representatives.
Public opinion on Prince Andrew and his actions has remained murky at best, with advocates insisting on the need for accountability. The outcome of Rayner’s efforts could have lasting repercussions for both the royal family and British politics. With the recent developments and upcoming revelations, the debate may blaze anew.