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INSIDE QUEEN ELIZABETH’S RELATIONSHIP WITH PRINCE ANDREW
By HAYLEY PEPPIN
The following story contains discussion of sex crimes and pedophilia.
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Around the time of Prince Andrew's birth, rumors swirled that his parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, were experiencing a "rough spell" in their marriage. However, royal experts say that when Andrew joined the family, it began a "re-booting of the Queen's marriage," which led to her "special relationship" with Andrew today.
Because the Queen was more accustomed to her role as the monarch by the time Prince Andrew was born, she took an 18-month maternity leave to care for him — meanwhile, she wouldn't see her first two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, for months. Clearly, the Queen has always had a particular affinity for Prince Andrew.
Despite a slew of controversies surrounding Andrew over the years, Elizabeth's devotion never faltered. In fact, when Andrew was connected to known sex offender and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Queen didn't distance herself from him, but rather bestowed upon him a new honorific title: "Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order."
Royal fans were also rattled by Elizabeth's continued support of her son following a devastating interview Andrew gave on the BBC, in which he defended his relationship with Epstein. Also accused of sexual assault of a minor, Andrew soon announced he would be stepping back from royal duties, with his mother’s permission.