Podcast Summary: The Daily Beast Podcast

Episode: "I Know Why Royals Can Never Shake Epstein Scandal"

Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Andrew Loney (author of "Entitled")
Date: March 9, 2026

Overview

In this gripping episode, Joanna Coles returns with investigative author Andrew Loney to unpack the latest tumult surrounding the British Royal Family and their inextricable links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. With new evidence from the recently released "Epstein files," Loney shares deep insights into Prince Andrew’s actions, the coverups within the monarchy, and what these new revelations may signal for King Charles, Prince William, Sarah Ferguson, and broader royal accountability. Loney, whose book "Entitled" has become newly vindicated, approaches the controversy with candor, skepticism, and a historian’s attention to detail.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Destruction and Concealment of Evidence

[00:45, 11:22]

• Andrew Loney highlights the recurring pattern: once Epstein-related material reaches British governmental hands, it tends to disappear.
  • “Ironically, the Epstein material is often there, but once it gets into the hands of the British government, it seems to be destroyed.” [00:45]
• Despite King Charles’ public statements about transparency, police protection officers have recently been reminded of their confidentiality obligations, reinforcing suspicions of ongoing cover-ups.

2. The Most Damaging Allegations Against Prince Andrew

[03:44, 05:53]

• Loney sees two main areas:
  • Andrew’s shameless conduct in the company of Epstein, including involvement in sexual trafficking and joking about “playrooms.”
  • Sharing diplomatic secrets with Epstein—potential grounds for treason.
    • “I would actually go after him for treason. The stuff that he's giving is diplomatic secrets.” [04:35]
• The reach of the scandal extends: Sarah Ferguson is implicated in some operations, and intelligence services (MI6) were reportedly ignored when they flagged Andrew’s activities.

3. Treason and National Security

[05:53, 07:32]

• Coles reacts to Loney’s treason accusation.
• Loney details evidence from American intelligence and UK sources naming Andrew as a political corruption risk.
  • “A document given to me by American intelligence saying that Andrew was operating with... political corruption. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It’s dated 15 January 2026.” [05:53]
• Stories and complaints about Andrew and Sarah emerged incidentally as their associates were already under observation, not as primary targets.

4. Aftermath of Police Questioning of Andrew

[07:48, 09:05]

• Andrew was apprehended on his 66th birthday and questioned for 11 hours; results remain confidential.
• Loney speculates that Andrew was considered a flight risk, justifying the heavy-handed arrest.
• The investigation is expected to be protracted; there is hope that NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) on staff and protection officers will be lifted for testimony.

5. New Details: Mayfair Apartments, Mistresses, and Connections to Epstein

[09:05, 10:57]

• Epstein reportedly kept girls in posh Mayfair apartments. Andrew allegedly had mistresses in both London and New York, one of whom later died by suicide.
  • “He was also running at least two mistresses in New York. I've got the addresses and the names, one of whom later committed suicide.” [09:35]
• The distinction between “mistress” and “girlfriend” comes down to financial support—several women were described as being “kept” by Andrew.

6. Sex Trafficking through UK Airports and Gordon Brown’s Intervention

[10:57, 12:50]

• Former PM Gordon Brown raises the issue of girls trafficked through Stansted airport, echoing long-held suspicions about the Royal Family’s involvement.
• Much evidence is lost or destroyed: “Flight logs for Buckingham Palace... were withheld on national security grounds and then destroyed.” [11:22]
• Loney mentions multiple police forces are looking into trafficking at airports, with multiple witnesses and potential victims coming forward.

7. Pattern of Suicides and the “Darker Side” of the Story

[12:50, 14:12]

• The saga is marked by mysterious deaths (Epstein, Jean Luc Brunel, and, potentially, one of Andrew’s mistresses).
  • “A number of people in this story seem to have had rather mysterious deaths...” [13:09]
• Andrew admits to researching claims of even more sinister activities (satanic abuse, unexplained deaths), noting they might now warrant more scrutiny.

8. Why Has It Taken So Long for Allegations to Be Taken Seriously?

[14:12, 17:09]

• Series of gradual exposures: Loney’s book, leaks about Andrew and Sarah lying, Virginia Giuffre’s book, and, now, the Epstein files.
• Persistent culture of deference towards the royals and repeated institutional reluctance to pursue the case.
  • “They could have done something in 2010 when Sarah was found selling access to Andrew as a trade Envoy, nothing happened.... There was a High court case in 2022 where unexplained monies were being paid to the York family. Again, nothing happened.” [14:39]

9. King Charles’ Handling of the Crisis

[17:35, 20:02]

• Public opinion sees Charles as managing, but Loney claims the palace relies on old tactics: minimal action and plausible deniability.
• Charles reportedly was directly involved in settlements but may have actively shielded his brother.
  • “The King was involved in the settlement, probably putting money into it... He has had occasions... to be much stricter with his younger brother.” [17:58]
• Despite Charles’s public statements about cooperation with investigations, behind the scenes the status quo remains.

10. What Next for William and the Future of the Monarchy?

[20:02, 21:49]

• William is keen to distance himself from Andrew, seeing his uncle as reputationally toxic.
• There’s speculation Charles might abdicate under the cloud, allowing William to enact reforms:
  • Streamline the monarchy
  • Remove titles from non-working royals
  • Increase transparency and reform finances
  • “He would prefer that Charles clears up the mess... William then making all the changes that I think he would like to make and I think are needed.” [20:02]

11. What Did the Queen and Prince Philip Know?

[21:49, 24:23]

• Loney firmly believes senior royals were fully briefed on Andrew’s exploits (including his sexual misconduct).
  • “She [the Queen] ran a pretty tight ship and she knew what was going on... they would have been trying to head off any possible stories that might have appeared in the press.” [22:50]
• The royal household systematically dismissed or ignored warnings from intelligence services and the Foreign Office.

12. Epstein’s Influence and Legal Expectations

[24:23, 29:35]

• Epstein groomed Andrew, encouraging him to share privileged information, including sensitive financial data.
  • “Epstein was very experienced here. He was kind of tasking Andrew, you know, to see people. I mean, extraordinary stuff. Inside information about the public ownership of Royal bank of Scotland during the banking crisis in 2008.” [24:33]
• Authorities appear to be preparing for a "fudge"—delays, lesser charges, or technical acquittals to avoid a trial that might expose more royal secrets.

13. The Greed of Sarah Ferguson (“Fergie”)

[25:56, 27:48]

• Ferguson is portrayed as aggressively seeking money from Epstein and others, with new testimonies surfacing about sums well beyond those previously reported.
  • “She will, I suspect, do a big tell-all interview, write a tell-all book, make lots of money, not care now about the damage that she can do to her own daughters.” [26:14]
• Possibility she may turn “state’s evidence” if it serves her interests.

14. Is Andrew a Flight Risk?

[27:48, 28:52]

• Loney remains convinced Andrew is a flight risk, but his confidence suggests he believes he won’t face charges.
• Diplomatic ties may restrict where he can go without creating scandals for both British and host governments.

15. Potential Legal Consequences

[28:52, 31:30]

• Misconduct in public office carries a possible life sentence, but typically results in minor penalties for lower-level officials.
  • “There is an argument that he will get a couple of years in an open prison.... The other is that... he goes to a high security prison and he's in isolation and he has a pretty tough time.” [29:35]
• Sex trafficking and more serious charges would have harsher outcomes. Fergie may also face scrutiny under charity and company law.

16. Timeline and Likely Scenarios

[31:30, 32:46]

• No clear timeline. The case could be strung out for months or years under the pretense of gathering further evidence.
  • “They may want to question a whole series of people and mounting that case will take time and so this could be years. And that may be the neat solution that basically nothing happens for two years while they investigate.” [31:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Andrew Loney:

  • “I would actually go after him for treason...” [04:35]
  • “Flight logs for Buckingham Palace... were withheld on national security grounds and then destroyed.” [11:22]
  • “This happiest divorced couple ever seemed to have broken up very, very quickly once Royal Lodge was off the agenda.” [26:14]
  • “Andrew has a very, very highly paid lawyer who has a reputation for getting his clients off.” [31:30]

• Joanna Coles:

  • “Wow. I mean, this story is so wide and so deep...” [19:33]
  • “Do you still believe that Andrew, formerly known as Prince, is a flight risk?” [27:48]

• Private Eye Satire Reference:

  • “Picture of Andrew looking at his watch and talking to a policeman.... The officer says back: ‘about 25 years, sir.’” [28:52]

Key Timestamps

• Destruction of Evidence & Palace Secrecy: [00:45, 11:22, 17:58]
• Treason Accusation Explained: [05:53]
• Police Questioning of Andrew: [07:48]
• Mayfair Mistresses & Suicides: [09:35, 13:09]
• Gordon Brown & Airport Trafficking: [10:57, 11:22]
• Shift in Public & Institutional Attitudes: [14:12, 14:39]
• King Charles’ Response: [17:58]
• Future with William & Monarchy Reform: [20:02]
• Queen/Philip Awareness: [22:50]
• Epstein’s Influence on Andrew: [24:33]
• Sarah Ferguson’s Role: [26:14]
• Andrew as Flight Risk: [27:55]
• Potential Sentencing Details: [29:35]
• Timeline of Potential Charges: [31:45]

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, somber, and laced with British dry humor, especially as Coles and Loney marvel (sometimes with grim irony) at the sprawling nature of the scandal and the seemingly unshakable royal defense mechanisms. Loney is measured but relentless, drawing heavily on documented evidence, expert networks, and a historian’s skepticism toward convenient denials.

Conclusion

This episode offers explosive revelations and measured context about the enduring grip of scandal—and secrecy—on the Royal Family. With the Epstein files now public, the pressure mounts not just on Andrew but on the monarchy’s entire culture of impunity. The conversation makes clear: accountability is late, may be incomplete, but can no longer be denied.