LONDON — King Charles faces mounting pressure to cede major decisions to Prince William after mishandling the Prince Andrew sex trafficking scandal, according to a scathing post on The Royalist Substack by columnist Tom Sykes.

Sykes declared the monarchy endures its gravest crisis since Edward VIII’s 1936 abdication. Thames Valley Police now probes claims that women were trafficked to Royal Lodge, Andrew’s Windsor estate. Prosecutors could find themselves in a bind if evidence surfaces that Charles knew of Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Sykes wrote.

Andrew remains on the king’s estate despite accusations of involvement in a sex trafficking ring. Charles approved a $14 million settlement to Virginia Giuffre in 2022 while Queen Elizabeth II lay ill, according to the post. Sykes argued Charles should evict Andrew, citing new information as justification to revise the deal.

Prince William grasps the threat Andrew poses to the institution and will not tolerate it upon ascending the throne, Sykes stated. He urged Charles to act swiftly: strip Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of royal titles and remove them from the line of succession.

The commentary then turned to Prince Harry. William views Harry and Andrew as twin threats of entitlement without service, Sykes claimed. Harry breached the 2020 Sandringham Summit terms by producing grievance-filled Netflix shows and his memoir ‘Spare,’ along with Meghan Markle’s alleged use of HRH on stationery.

Public affection has shifted decisively to William and Catherine, Sykes noted. A recent Sunday Times magazine cover proclaimed ‘Arise, Queen Kate’ as her popularity rivals Queen Elizabeth II’s peaks. Charles and Queen Camilla lag in polls.

To avert abdication’s stigma, Charles should name William co-monarch immediately, the post demanded. All key decisions would route through William’s office, mirroring how Elizabeth prepared Charles. Charles’ cancer diagnosis offers cover for the handover, Sykes suggested, rather than admitting mishandling the crises.

Sykes portrayed William and Catherine as possessing ‘clean hands’ under intense scrutiny. The monarchy’s future rests with them, he wrote, as Charles’ reign risks ruin from the Epstein fallout.

The Royalist post arrived amid fresh developments. Reports indicate multiple police forces scrutinize Andrew, with an arrest noted this week. William’s circle faces questions over past Epstein links, including allies and patrons tied to the financier.

Critics might see the call for co-monarchy as premature. William, 42, became Prince of Wales upon Charles’ September 2022 accession. Tradition holds no provision for co-monarchs before succession.

Palace sources offered no immediate response. Charles, undergoing cancer treatment since February 2024, continues limited duties. William leads on key initiatives like Earthshot Prize, though some partners face Epstein-related scrutiny.

The scandal traces to Epstein’s 2019 death and Giuffre’s lawsuits. Andrew settled with her for an undisclosed sum estimated at $14 million. He lost military titles and patronages that year.

Harry and Meghan stepped back as working royals in 2020. Their media projects drew backlash for palace criticisms, including racism claims. Harry attended Charles’ coronation in May 2023 but has since stayed distant.

Sykes’ intervention highlights rifts within royalist circles. Some demand radical steps to safeguard the Crown amid eroding support. Polls show republican sentiment rising, especially post-Queen Elizabeth’s 2022 death.

William’s allies briefed Sykes, per the post’s tone. The prince focuses on family and duties while Catherine recovers from cancer treatment announced in March 2024.