Donald Trump says he 'feels badly' as he speaks out on Andrew's exile from Royal Family
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault, which some readers may find distressing.
US President Donald Trump has now spoken out on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's exile from the Royal Family.
Last week (30 October), Buckingham Palace confirmed they had started the process to remove Andrew's titles, and shed further light on his future leaving many to wonder about the status of his daughters, princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, following the move, along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson's future, his housing situation and fortune, as well as who the new Duke of York might be.
The 65-year-old reportedly lost his royal title due to the emergence of new claims regarding his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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The Palace's decision came shortly after the posthumous publication of a memoir, Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims who also accused Andrew of sexual assault and sued him in August 2021.
The case was settled outside of court for a sum believed to have been around £12 million, with Andrew denying allegations of sexual assault made by Giuffre, who took her own life in April, and has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing.
Trump, who has faced pressure himself to disclose details about the nature of his relationship with the paedophile financier, has since weighed in on the latest news while speaking to reporters on board Air Force One.
He was asked his thoughts on King Charles III's decision to strip his younger brother of his peerages, to which he replied: "It's a terrible thing that's happened to the family."
Trump, 79, added: "That's been a tragic situation. It's too bad. I feel badly for the family."
The Palace's full statement announcing the latest news concerning Andrew reads: "His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."
It concluded: "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Royal Family, Prince Andrew, UK News, US News
Rhiannon Ingle