Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has reportedly lifted his self-imposed travel restrictions following his controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite this newfound freedom, royal experts have informed Fox News Digital that the once dubbed "Air Miles Andy" is a thing of the past.
"Prince Andrew remains a source of embarrassment for the royal family," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams shared with Fox News Digital. "His notorious Newsnight interview and the photograph with Epstein are still fresh in people's minds... He continues to be perceived as an entitled fool."
Fitzwilliams further stated, "His presence with the royal family is only tolerated within the confines of a church, without attracting severe negative commentary." He added, "Unless he acknowledges his guilt in the court of public opinion and displays some form of remorse or, at the very least, contributes positively to society, his best days are undoubtedly behind him."
According to Fox News Digital, a two-page internal document from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI has been obtained, stating that Epstein, a late American financier and convicted pedophile, died by suicide. The document also clarifies that there is no list of clients implicated in exploitation.
The memo reads, "This systemic review revealed no incriminating client list. There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."
The document further confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Facility in New York City.
A source told The Sun that Queen Elizabeth II's son has only ventured abroad "once" since his scandalous ties to Epstein were exposed.
The source revealed to the outlet, "He has always been very apprehensive about traveling abroad and felt hed always be looking over his shoulder as he could be subject to civil action or, at worst, being arrested."
The insider continued, "With this hurdle now cleared, he can at least leave the country. What is he supposed to do with the rest of his life? He hasnt been convicted of any crime and cant sit idle at Royal Lodge indefinitely."
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson previously informed Fox News Digital that they do not speak on behalf of the duke, as he is no longer a working royal.
Royal experts informed Fox News Digital that Andrew earned the nickname "Air Miles Andy" due to his frequent global travels. However, British royals expert Hilary Fordwich pointed out to Fox News Digital that its likely Andrew will continue to maintain a low profile to avoid further embarrassment and scrutiny.
Fordwich explained, "While Andrew might be feeling a sense of relief and cautious optimism, being now technically able to travel, both his personal and public prospects remain constrained by the enduring negative fallout, as well as his severely tarnished reputation from the Epstein scandal."
She added, "The media will [still] be relentless and most certainly not positive. They will also be more likely to be hostile, as well as embarrassing to the royal family, if he does travel to the U.S. He is not likely to ever regain public favor either nor return to any prominence."
Fordwich continued, "He lost all his royal patronages and military roles. There is no indication whatsoever that King Charles III, or any senior royal, ever intends to rehabilitate his public image nor to restore his former status in any way."
"Senior royals are far more concerned with protecting the institutions reputation. Anything Andrew does is seen as a liability. Prince William remains adamant regarding severely restricting any options for participation at all. So, he might travel, but not in any formal capacity."
Fitzwilliams also questioned "what is the point of him?" referring to any contributions Andrew can make as a royal.
"He isn't doing anything useful, although a job could be found helping to run the royal estates," he said. "He may well cling on to the thirty-room Royal Lodge if he can afford the upkeep He has a 75-year lease [that] he took out in 2003."
Fitzwilliams noted, "He did not offer to help with the FBI investigation, although he had originally offered to do so. It should also be stressed that he has not been found guilty of anything and has always maintained his innocence."
In 2019, King Charles younger brother stepped back as a senior royal following his explosive televised interview with BBCs "Newsnight" about his ties to Epstein. At the time, the royal expressed regret over his relationship with the 66-year-old.
In January 2022, the queen, who passed away in September of that year, stripped her second son of his military titles and patronages. At the time, the father of two attempted to have a sexual abuse lawsuit made by Virginia Giuffre dismissed. Andrew settled with Giuffre for an undisclosed sum, agreeing to make a "substantial donation" to her survivors organization.
A statement filed in court said that the prince acknowledged Epstein was a sex trafficker and Giuffre "an established victim of abuse."
Giuffre claimed Epstein trafficked her and that she had sex with Andrew three times: in London during her 2001 trip, at Epsteins New York mansion when she was 17, and in the Virgin Islands when she was 18.
She tragically ended her life in April of this year at her farm in Western Australia, her publicist confirmed. She was 41.
It is believed that Andrew first met Epstein in 1999. Andrew claimed he severed ties with Epstein shortly after the pair were photographed taking a stroll through Central Park.
Epstein took his own life while awaiting trial on U.S. federal sex trafficking charges involving dozens of teenage girls and young women, some as young as 14. The charges came 14 years after police in Palm Beach, Florida, first began investigating allegations that he sexually abused underage girls who were hired to give him massages.
Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. The British socialite, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di for Daily podcast, previously told Fox News Digital that Andrews reputation is irreparably damaged. At this point, she argued, he should never be seen or heard from again as theres nothing he can do to redeem himself publicly.
Schofield stated, "Andrew needs to avoid being seen or heard for the rest of King Charles reign. If you want to attend church with your family, fine stay 100 feet behind them when photographers are around. Otherwise, he should continue horse riding privately on the property that King Charles asked him to surrender. Whether hes innocent of the initial accusations is irrelevant. Hes guilty by association with Jeffrey Epstein."
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