It is the scene in the Ashley Room of the Stower Grange Hotel. The elegant coaching inn, located on Drayton’s own grounds and just 15 minutes drive from Norwich, forms the backdrop.
For the Grenadier Guards Norfolk Dining Club’s annual Christmas Dinner, 36 serving and retired infantry officers and soldiers gathered together. This is a private and exclusive group for all grenadiers living in Norfolk, Suffolk, and the surrounding counties.
The informal event, which celebrates the club’s 25th anniversary, is filled with festive conviviality.
Prince Andrew is the Colonel of Grenadiers. This honorary position was inherited by his father Prince Philip. He takes pride in this official photo.
This week, the Prince of Wales is driving around Windsor as a stay-at home prince. Andrew is an outsider, an outcast, in fact — not precisely shunned, but forced to avoid many of the people and places that mean most to him
Three years after this joyous occasion, tomorrow the club’s Christmas social will take place.
But this time there will be no welcoming remarks from the regimental colonel as the men sit down to their £30-a-head, three-course lunch.
Andrew, who lives 150 miles from home, will enjoy the sharing of coffee, mince pies, and stories about derring-do as they are shared.
For a man whose entire life revolved around military service, this is a sad, difficult, and lonely time.
Andrew is an outsider, an outcast, in fact — not precisely shunned, but forced to avoid many of the people and places that mean most to him.
Since Prince Andrew was forced to resign from his official duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, vital parts of his life are now closed. (Above: The Prince riding on the Windsor grounds this week.
Andrew’s friend GhislaineMaxwell was sent to trial this week. It brought back more shocking reminders about their interconnectedness. None more powerful than the photograph, released this week by prosecutors, of Epstein and his then girlfriend cuddling up on a bench at the Queen’s picnic cabin at Glen Beg on the Balmoral estate — paedophile and alleged procurer side by side in one of the most private and intimate of royal settings
His withdrawal from any official duties due to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has been more than two years. He is now unable to access vital parts of his past life.
His friend Ghislaine Maxiwell was brought to trial, and it has been a painful reminder of their shared overlapping connections.
None more powerful than the photograph, released this week by prosecutors, of Epstein and his then girlfriend cuddling up on a bench at the Queen’s picnic cabin at Glen Beg on the Balmoral estate — paedophile and alleged procurer side by side in one of the most private and intimate of royal settings.
This picture was taken three years ago, after Andrew divorced from the Duchess. The Duke took Epstein and Maxwell, his new friends, to the Queen’s Estate for a weekend.
This was just one of their many experiences with royal hospitality. The couple were invited to Sandringham for a photo shoot, and they were guests to Ascot’s Royal Enclosure.
There was much more. Who can forget that other damning photo of the grinning Ghislaine, this time with disgraced actor Kevin Spacey foolishly posing on the coronation thrones during a private tour of Buckingham Palace, organised by — who else — Prince Andrew?
The second son of the Queen must long for simple days. He used to look forward to the last month of her calendar, which promised some of his favorite events.
In 2019 the Duke of York was Colonel of Grenadier Guards. In 2019, the Duke of York, as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
In 2018 — the last December in which Andrew carried out royal engagements — there was a Buckingham Palace lunch for past captains (like him) of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and a reception for the Outward Bound Trust.
As Commodore of the Fleet Air Arm he will be visiting the Home Base of 617 Squadron RAF Marham. He could also look forward as royal colonel of Royal Highland Fusiliers presenting operational medals to the soldiers of 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Each and every privilege has been taken away from him.
There are glimpses from his past that remain. Just the other day he was photographed riding at Windsor in a waterproof jacket bearing the Grenadiers’ historic motto, ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ — shame upon he who thinks evil of it.
It’s a royal saying. It is either a sign of Andrew’s remarkable chutzpah or a display of royal arrogance to flaunt it.
It does however suggest that, despite his falling from grace, he is still a man who remains indefensible to public opinion.
Perhaps it’s a subtle effort by Andrew (61), to remind everyone of his dreams of one day returning to his former life. To be fair, the Duke’s friends insist that there’s nothing egotistical about his selection of rainwear. It’s simply that he “just grabs whatever’s available”.
He has made riding his main activity. He rides around Windsor Castle Estate with one of his royal grooms.
According to him, it is the only way he can decompress for the rest of his week. This is his escape form all that’s going around him.
According to a Prince friend, “If the Duke is essentially in lockdown at Royal Lodge depuis November 2019, then an occasional riding trip does not seem unreasonable.”
But what about his dream to pick up the pieces of his life before it was too late? He would love to be a part of next year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and to have a role at commemorations marking the 40th anniversary Falklands War.
Andrew supporters are not the only ones who see it as a hopeless situation.
The latest installment of his legal fight with Virginia Giuffre will be heard next week in New York. He was accused in civil proceedings of sexually assaulting her as a 17-year-old.
The Prince’s lawyers from California will present their last submissions to court on Monday before any decision is made by the court on January 4.
Ms Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, has accused Andrew of ‘rape in the first degree’ and claimed that he forced her to have sex with him three times in 2001 — at Maxwell’s London home, in New York at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion and on the dead financier’s Caribbean island.
Next week will see the hearing in New York of Andrew’s latest legal action against Virginia Giuffre. Andrew was accused by Virginia Giuffre in a civil suit for sexually assaulting her while she was just 17.
According to reports, this week’s Duke has instructed the U.S. legal team “cancel Christmas” in order to make sure that nothing is left undone in the run-up to the crucial new year hearing.
Although friends deny that he is stressed out by recent events they do insist that he never was overly confident despite the photos that show him smiling while on a bike ride.
One figure stated that “Nobody is happy, and no one can enjoy the spring joys.”
Additional distractions have been caused by the Maxwell case opening. Andrew’s legal staff has kept up with every detail, but they do not expect anything to cause Andrew any harm.
According to one insider, “Glancing is more important than body blows.” This is Ghislaine’s situation, and not that of the Duke.
From his home he has regular conference calls with his lead UK lawyer Gary Bloxsome, a criminal defence solicitor at City-based Blackfords, and with £1,500-an-hour American attorney Andrew Brettler.
The strategy of the Giuffres is to throw out the ‘baseless suit’, alleging that Ms Giuffre wants to “achieve another paycheck at his expense”.
Eugenie and Beatrice, his daughters are crucial members of the support group. An old friend of the family says, “They are his main cheerleaders. He is uplifted when he’s down, and they believe in him.” “Life has changed a lot for the Duke compared to what it used to be.” There are no wild activities.
Andrew is aware that if it fails, he will have to fight for his reputation.
Lewis Kaplan, a New York District Judge has stated that he’s looking into a date for a trial between October 2022 and December 2022.
All agree that the costs of protecting the Prince are ‘eye-watering. Andrew may be worried about the financial burden that he placed upon the Queen. However, Andrew has reportedly agreed to pay the escalating court expenses.
Andrew doesn’t just ride on those rides. How does Andrew pass the time, anyway?
Royal Lodge was contacted by an entrepreneur in charity to make an appointment for Fergie. He said that a butler allowed him into the house and he was taken to her quarters.
He passed the large, airy office on ground floor of what he believed to be Duke while he was traveling. He could see Andrew, a silhouette he assumed to be Andrew, sitting on a couch through the entrance. There was a huge television.
Andrew was still watching the television when he returned from the hour-long conversation with the Duchess.
It’s more than just a way to brush off questions about the Duke’s day, keeping his head down is now a part of daily routine.
Other than riding, his other appearances include at the wheel his car, which takes him from Royal Lodge to Windsor. There he visits his mother’s rooms in the castle.
Using largely private roads, he has the drive down to ten minutes taking the Long Walk — the route of Prince Harry and Meghan’s post-wedding carriage drive — and in to the castle via the Cambridge Gate. One of his many distractions from the case is seeing his mother and his new grandchildren, Eugenie’s August and Eugenie’s Sienna.
Eugenie and Beatrice, his daughters are crucial members of the support group. An old friend of the family says, “They are his main cheerleaders. He is encouraged when he’s down, and they believe in him above all.” “Life has changed a lot from what it used to be for the Duke. There are no exciting ranges of activities.
Fergie is always there. “She’s his wingman,” says the friend. She doesn’t know anyone, nor does he. These two are lost souls.
There are many domestic amenities. Royal Lodge employs a butler/deputy butler while Windsor Castle has a chef.
Sometimes, food can be sent from the castle’s kitchens. An estate gardener may occasionally help with driving.
Andrew is still able to use a valet. However, a part time dresser was once part of the household.
Royal Lodge was a lively place in previous Christmas seasons. However, it seems that this year, Royal Lodge will not host staff parties. Ex-employee says that those were the events Prince loved. “He enjoyed a good knees-up, and was always generous.
He hasn’t made it to West End favourite restaurants, or dropped in at society carol concerts that were once so important to him. He has been devastated by the losses of both his public and social lives.
One can only imagine what such an outcome would look like when Prince Charles was growing-up. As a teenager the Queen’s handsome — and favourite — son had enjoyed schooldays at Gordonstoun as much as Prince Charles had hated it.
He was 20 years old when he joined the Navy. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career. His service in the Falklands as a helicopter pilot, luring Argentine rockets away from his Fleet, was the highlight.
Epstein entered his life just as his Navy days ended. Andrew, his brother Princess Anne, 50 and aunt Princess Margaret 70 were present at his historic 40th Birthday party. The Queen Mother 100 was also there. Prince William had just turned 18 years.
Epstein and Maxwell were on his guest list — and they have hung over his life ever since.