'Never before has a royal, and the monarchy, been subjected to so much criticism and scrutiny'

ANALYSIS -- Never before has a member of the royal family been subjected to so much criticism and scrutiny.

Days after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King's brother was described as "a rude, arrogant, entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest".

It was an unprecedented day in political history, reflecting the level of public anger at Andrew over his role as a UK trade envoy and his dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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And for the royal family it was yet another embarrassing, and perhaps uncomfortable, chapter in the Andrew-Epstein scandal.

The issue is now threatening to affect King Charles' coming visit to the US in April.

The monarch is expected to spend three days in America for its 250th anniversary celebrations.

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The short itinerary is understood to have been decided upon due to Charles' age – he is 77 – and his ongoing battle with cancer, according to The Times.

However, the King is likely to be met with questions about Andrew and his links with Epstein.

According to The Times, the Andrew issue could be a factor in the final planning and how the King and Queen Camilla meet the public during the tour. They are expected to visit Washington D.C., New York and another, yet to be confirmed, city.

The King is not likely to visit the west coast to see his son Prince Harry, or his two grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Duke of Sussex may choose to take his children to King Charles for a private meeting.

Despite the King's recent tough actions towards Andrew, which included removing his royal titles and eviction from Royal Lodge, the monarch could be heckled over the scandal on US soil as the story continues to make global headlines.

On Tuesday, British politicians openly criticsed Andrew during a debate in UK parliament, called by MPs who were demanding the release of documents relating to the 66-year-old's appointment as UK trade envoy in 2001.

According to convention and historical precedent, criticism of the royals in parliament is rare.

Politicians have largely stuck to guidance over the years which suggests MPs should not put a question before parliament which "casts reflections upon the sovereign or the royal Family" as stated in the manual first published in 1844, known as Erskine May.

Andrew's mention within the Epstein files and his arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office lead to the unprecedented debate.

The mounting interest in Andrew's work as a trade representative, and his friendship with Epstein, made the issue worthy of discussion.

Following the conclusion of the session, in the House of Commons, MPs approved the motion calling for the release of documents relating to Andrew's appointment as a trade envoy.

But not before Andrew was openly condemned like never before while the monarchy, and the protections afforded to it, were also slammed.

Andrew's succession rights were questioned during the heated discussion, with trade minister Sir Chris Bryant confirming the government was "working at pace" to bring forward legislation to remove the former prince.

He is currently eighth in line to the British throne, after Prince Harry's two children. On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would support any changes to remove Andrew.

Bryant said: "We are working at pace on this, and we intend to be able to bring forward legislation where we can. I can't commit to a particular date on that.

"But I note that Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music sang 'I have confidence that spring will come again', and so I have confidence that the act of succession will come round at pace."

One politician said it was "disgusting" that Andrew was fourth-in-line to the throne when he was photographed with Epstein in New York in December, 2010.

The former Duke of York was seen walking through Central Park with Epstein after the convicted paedophile's release from prison.

A photo from their meeting was published in February 2011 by News of the World with the headline 'Prince Andy & the Paedo'.

"It's disgusting," Luke Taylor told parliament. "We have to have a full statutory inquiry into the whole Epstein affair...that investigation must be able to force people to give evidence under oath."

MP Siân Berry said the royal family was "sheltered from scrutiny in too many ways".

She said royals should not be exempt from freedom of information laws, as the system currently allows.

"That really is one rule for the rich and powerful, and one rule for the rest of us," Berry said.

"Royal FoI exemptions that have for too long allowed their power to act in the shadows, concealing important truths from MPs and the public also need to go."

Another called for a "a judge-led public inquiry into [Andrew's] affairs".

The suggestion was supported by Brendan O'Hara who said: "It is beyond ridiculous that someone in a similar position could be appointed to exactly the same job as Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was, but because they have been lucky in the great genealogical sweepstake, they find themselves born into the royal family and therefore automatically above scrutiny and accountability."

Andrew's appointment as a trade envoy has long been a bone of contention for the British government.

In a sentiment that many may be thinking, one MP said Andrew had "shamed" the UK.

"Can there be people more symbolic of the rot that eats away at the British establishment than the former Duke of York and special trade envoy and the former business secretary, first secretary of state and ambassador to the US [Lord Mandelson]?," Sir Ed Davey told the Commons.

"Their association with Epstein and actions on his behalf while trusted with the privilege of public office are stain on our country. Today we must begin to clean away that stain with the disinfectant of transparency.

"Their victims and survivors have seen those responsible evade accountability and escape justice for far too long."

Andrew remains under investigation following his release from custody on Thursday. He was questioned for nearly 12 hours after being arrested at his temporary home, Wood Farm, on the King's Sandringham Estate.

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