In a dramatic development, BBC News reported just 30 minutes ago that Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, was urgently admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Windsor. The sudden hospitalization follows a staggering $1 billion lawsuit threat from U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, tied to explosive claims in Andrew Lownie’s new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. The book alleged that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein introduced Melania to Donald Trump, a claim Melania has fiercely denied, labeling it “false, defamatory, and inflammatory.” Her legal team also targeted Hunter Biden for echoing the allegation, demanding a retraction or facing a massive defamation suit.
The Epstein controversy, which has long shadowed Prince Andrew, appears to have pushed the duke to a breaking point. Sources close to the royal family reveal that Andrew, already stripped of his royal duties and titles due to his Epstein ties, has been under immense stress as the scandal resurfaced. Insiders report he appeared frail and distressed in recent days, with the hospitalization raising concerns about his physical and mental health. While the hospital has not disclosed his condition, speculation is rife that the renewed public scrutiny and legal pressure may have triggered a serious health crisis.
Melania Trump’s legal offensive has already yielded results. HarperCollins, the publisher of Lownie’s book, withdrew the contested claims after printing 60,000 copies, citing the need to avoid costly litigation. Melania’s team insists she met Donald Trump through a modeling agent in 1998, not through Epstein, and has vowed to pursue anyone repeating the allegation. The Trumps’ aggressive stance has sent shockwaves through media and publishing circles, with several outlets issuing retractions to avoid legal repercussions.
For Prince Andrew, the timing couldn’t be worse. His association with Epstein, including allegations of misconduct detailed in Virginia Giuffre’s settled lawsuit, has left him a pariah in royal and public life. The fresh wave of attention, coupled with Melania’s high-stakes lawsuit threat, has thrust him back into the global spotlight. Royal watchers note that Andrew’s health scare may complicate the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from his controversies, especially as King Charles III navigates his own health challenges.
The public now awaits updates on Andrew’s condition, with questions swirling about whether this health crisis will prompt a reevaluation of his status within the royal family. Meanwhile, Melania’s legal battle continues to unfold, with implications for freedom of speech and the power of high-profile defamation suits. As the Epstein saga refuses to fade, Prince Andrew’s hospitalization serves as a stark reminder of its enduring impact, leaving both the royal family and the Trumps entangled in a web of scandal, litigation, and public fascination.
