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Prince Edward says remember victims after Epstein files released

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – In a rare and direct public statement, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has addressed the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, urging a focus on the victims amidst the renewed global attention. His remarks, delivered at a high-profile event at the World Economic Forum, mark a significant departure from the Royal Family's traditional silence on the controversy that has deeply damaged the monarchy's reputation, primarily through his brother, Prince Andrew.

Speaking at an engagement focused on education and future challenges, the Duke broke from the prepared topic to make a pointed and somber observation. "They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this," he stated, according to BBC News.

The comment is the first from a senior working royal since the recent court-ordered unsealing of documents related to Epstein's network of associates. This release has reignited scrutiny of Prince Andrew's well-documented friendship with the convicted sex offender and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Duke’s intervention is being widely interpreted as a strategic attempt to distance the modern, working monarchy from the scandal's toxic legacy and to pivot the narrative toward empathy—a stark contrast to the approach taken by his brother.

The Unfolding Context

Prince Edward’s statement does not exist in a vacuum. It lands at a critical moment as the institution, under the new leadership of King Charles III, navigates a severe reputational crisis. The unsealing of the Epstein-related files has brought the issue back to the forefront of international news.

• The Epstein Files: These are thousands of pages of legal documents from a 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by victim Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. A judge ordered their release, leading to the naming of over 170 individuals connected to Epstein, including business leaders, politicians, and celebrities. While many names were already public, the official unsealing has generated intense media coverage.

• The Royal Connection: Prince Andrew's association with Epstein is the monarchy's most significant link to the scandal. Allegations made by Ms. Giuffre, a settlement of her civil sexual assault case against him for a reported multimillion-dollar sum, and a disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview led to his effective removal from public life. He was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages.

• A Calculated Setting: The Duke’s choice of venue—the World Economic Forum in Davos—is notable. This annual gathering of the world's financial and political elite is a platform for discussing global economic policy and corporate responsibility. By raising the issue of victims here, he injects a moral and human dimension into a forum often focused on power and profit, implicitly highlighting the ethical failures of the elite networks Epstein cultivated.

A Shift in Crisis Management

The Duke of Edinburgh’s brief but powerful statement signals a potential evolution in the Royal Family's crisis communication strategy, often defined by the mantra "never complain, never explain." This new approach appears to favor direct, albeit controlled, acknowledgment over stony silence.

This move aligns with the broader effort by King Charles to present a more modern, transparent, and accountable monarchy. By having a trusted senior royal like Prince Edward address the human cost of the scandal, "The Firm" may be attempting to build a firewall between the actions of Prince Andrew and the future of the institution itself. It is a clear and deliberate effort to reclaim the moral high ground.

Financial and Reputational Fallout

From a financial and corporate governance perspective, the Epstein scandal has been a case study in reputational risk. The Royal Family, often referred to as "The Firm," functions as a multi-billion-dollar brand, and the damage has been tangible.

• Brand Devaluation: Prince Andrew's involvement created a significant liability. The negative association threatened the value of the royal brand, which underpins tourism, trade, and the UK's "soft power" on the global stage. His removal from public duties was a classic corporate move to contain the damage and protect the parent brand.

• The Cost of Association: The scandal has served as a stark warning to business leaders about the perils of association. High-profile figures like former Barclays CEO Jes Staley and Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black faced career-ending consequences for their ties to Epstein. Prince Edward's comment underscores this risk, reminding the Davos elite that personal conduct and associations have profound professional and financial repercussions.

• Patronage and Partnerships: A key function of the Royal Family is its role in supporting hundreds of charities and organizations. Prince Andrew's loss of over 100 patronages represented a direct severing of ties by organizations seeking to protect their own reputations, demonstrating a clear market-based reaction to the scandal.

Looking Ahead: A Strategy of Containment

The path forward for the monarchy remains complex. While Prince Edward's statement has been seen as a positive step in acknowledging the victims, it does little to resolve the underlying questions surrounding his brother.

The primary implication is one of strategic containment. The Royal Family appears to be drawing a firm line: Prince Andrew's issues are his own, while the working monarchy, represented by figures like Prince Edward, is focused on its duties and on expressing the empathy the public expects.

As more documents are potentially unsealed and the legal aftermath for others in Epstein's circle continues, the pressure on all associated institutions will persist. For the House of Windsor, the long-term project is to prove that the institution is larger and more resilient than the scandals of its individual members. The Duke of Edinburgh's words in Davos are a small but crucial part of that monumental effort.