While Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew’s latest scandal appears to be hurting their reputations in the media, it appears their behavior is having a more damaging effect on Queen Elizabeth.

Recently, the royal family has come under fire following the release of Prince Andrew’s statement addressing his friendship with accused sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein and Meghan’s private jet setting around Europe.

However, royal expert, Dan Wootton claimed the incidents could make 2019 another “annus horribilis” for Queen Elizabeth. The monarch first coined the term in 1992 following Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s split and the Windsor Castle fire.

During a conversation on talkRADIO, Wootton reflected on the issues plaguing the royal family. “The Queen famously described 1992 as an ‘annus horribilis’ for the Royal Family, but could 2019 be shaping up the same way?” he said.

“What [does] all of the goings-on this week mean for the Royal Family? There has been a lot, the Windsors have been battling on two major fronts over the past seven days,” the royal commentator continued.

Although Prince Andrew released a statement via Buckingham Palace about Epstein’s suicide and their relationship, Wootton believes the Duke of York needs to address the people directly to salvage his image and save Queen Elizabeth from another disastrous year.

“First Prince Andrew and his proximity to the pedophile and child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, their friendship over so many years now clear for the world to see,” he explained.

“I would have to say silence from the Duke of York isn’t good enough. Hiding behind soulless Buckingham Palace press statements simply won’t cut it anymore.”

In his statement, Prince Andrew denied being involved with Epstein’s illegal activities and expressed his regret over spending time with the criminal.

“At no stage, during the limited time I spent with him, did I see, witness or suspect any behavior of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010, and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently, not the real person, given what we now know.

I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behavior. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, and I acknowledge and sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

This is a difficult time for everyone involved, and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr. Epstein’s lifestyle.”

Along with criticizing Andrew’s apology, Wootton also called out Meghan for going against her own words about preserving the environment and traveling on private planes for vacation.

“And then we have the woke revolution sweeping through the Royal Family. So much of it has come from the criticism of Prince Harry and Meghan’s eco-hypocrisy, and the fact they used four private jets in just 11 days while preaching to all of us about climate change.

“What do we get this week in response from their A-list friends, from their multimillionaire friends, from their celebrity friends? We’re told if we question this hypocrisy, we have to be racist.”

Meghan and Prince Andrew’s damaged reputations aren’t the first time Queen Elizabeth has dealt with a royal scandal. Nonetheless, it seems 2019 may become one of her most challenging years yet.

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle
Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images/Chris Jackson
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