Savile is really a bad example. Because by that proxy almost all people knew something and didn’t care or were actually involved. Being at the same events or having one of those business relationships where you golf together or meet for a formal dinners once in a while is not exactly proof someone was in on it. I will say though, that I am pretty sure many suspect their acquaintance is a bit suspicious and rather choose to ignore it, shut down eyes and ears, try very actively not to come to a position of knowledge. So they can claim they had no idea whatsoever. But that goes for the RF as much as for all the high profile people that meet someone like this regular at events and in business contexts.
I am very conflicted about the settlement to be honest. VG never had good chances in court if you look at the hard evidence. Her best chance was Andrew making a fool of himself in court again. She claimed she wasn’t in it for money it but to restore her reputation. It was not her first rodeo in this story, so she knew what court would entail. The questioning, the smear campaign and so forth. I wouldn’t fault her for going into it with open eyes and good intentions only to realise it’s too hard and taking the money instead. I mean, I would have definitely have taken the money for sure. It still leaves a bitter aftertaste, especially as he doesn’t admit to any wrong doings (apart from basically repeating his stupid sob story of top honourable to drop the convicted peadophile) in their statement and she acted kind of a martyr for pursuing him anyway prior.
Andrew on the other hand definitely reached a point (by his own actions) were he was deemed guilty before anything went hot in court. He had good chances but even a win would have not helped his reputation. It would have just been written off as a wealthy man getting away with it again. There was really nothing to win for him. So a settlement to just make it stop was a wise decision.
I am not sure if the settlement was paid for by mummy. She might have. I think the whole RF would be in favour just to make sure all of it disappears and Andrew doesn’t open his mouth in court. But for all his claims about his financial situation, I am absolutely convinced Andrew could come up with quite a massive sum if he really has to. Maybe liquidate some assets. They are all loaded. Heck, Harry got a 10mil inheritance from his mother. That means the same amount for Wiliam. How did Diana accumulate that amount of money (and this usnot including other assets)? Andrew had some more decades so his investments probably generate thousands by the second. They also make a
tit ton of money through private investments, privately owned properties they rent out, business schemes they run or are silently involved in.
Now, the whole thing will be forever unresolved though. The ones that are firmly pro VG will say he settled because he is guilty. The ones that are anti VG will say she was always just lying and used the idiot as a cash cow. (I don’t think a significant number is actually pro Andrew. Most despise him for various reasons and rather see him from behind.)
It will be interesting if he (and the RF) try to reintroduced him to the public. I really hope their advisors have realised it will be impossible. He just has too many skeletons in the closet (one being his title riding ex). I think if we ever see him on a balcony again, it will be far far in the back. I just hope he never opens his mouth again and disappears. Maybe starts beekeeping in the grounds of royal lodge or Aquarell painting.
Raised concern but nobody said a word. Also - why on earth was he 'counselling' royal couples?
I very much doubt this. As if and how would we know about it. And if true, the outcome is just what you would expect. But how are the chances? It’s not as if they were actually close confidants (the real inner circles are all pretty public shy and stay silent). The RF, just as many political and other high profile people have tons of acquaintances and are dancing on the fine line of shielding their private life while also giving those people the feeling of being in with them. It’s actually quite fascinating. Just like inviting the PM on your holiday is no sign you actually personally like them or have any real private relationship with them. Same with those big shooting parties. It’s a minefield of social cues and rules and the royals most definitely are masters in this.