Queen Elizabeth II protected shamed Andrew ‘behind her skirt’

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was always protected by Queen Elizabeth II throughout her lifetime.

The ex Duke of York, who is now exiled out of the Royal Lodge due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, took advantage of his mother softness towards him.

Royal expert Ian Lloyd says: "In August 2021, when [Epstein and Andrew accuser, Virginia] Giuffre's lawyers tried to serve legal documents to [ex-Prince Andrew], he made it virtually impossible by staying with The Queen on the secluded Balmoral estate, giving rise to criticism that he was hiding behind his mother's skirt, so to speak."

"Meanwhile, [The Queen] instructed her solicitors to warn British media outlets not to take or publish paparazzi photos of the royals or their guests on the estate, though photos of an irate-looking Andrew did appear," Lloyd wrote.

"The Queen's unconditional affection for her second son and her solidarity for him is understandable," Lloyd wrote in his book.

"While it must have been a relief to her when, in February 2022, the prince made an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, the fact that he knowingly associated himself with a convicted pedophile [Jeffrey Epstein] has caused irreparable damage to his reputation and that of the monarchy."

"That would undoubtedly have broken The Queen's heart and cast a blight on the final phase of her long reign," Lloyd shared.