In this week’s edition of Emily in Palace our Royal Editor explores the latest Andrew drama, Prince William’s trip to Saudi Arabia and Fergie’s disappearance.

King Charles responded to the scandal last year (Image: Getty)

What a week. It started with the stomach-churning pictures of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours over the top of a woman, and finished with his banishment to Sandringham. It’s been a whirlwind of new claims emerging from the three million documents published in the latest release of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, with fresh details of how the former prince fled Royal Lodge under the cover of darkness.

Much was made last year about whether stripping Andrew of his dukedom and princely title went too far, in what was undoubtedly one of the most significant royal announcements in decades. While Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing, sources say decisive action had to be taken to reflect his serious lapses of judgement.

It wasn’t just about protecting the wider Royal Family, the King had to do right by the victims of abuse.

And now it appears the decision to cut Andrew from all the trappings of royal life, his titles, honours and lavish property on the Windsor Estate was made just in the nick of time.

Of course the Firm will continue to be dragged into the scandal, but the King was able to create a distance between his brother and show the public that he has responded to the public outcry with every power he can muster.

Buckingham Palace continues to decline to comment on the scandals engulfing the former royal, and apart from the Duke of Edinburgh’s rare comments on the matter in Dubai (where he said it’s important “to remember the victims”), the Royal Family will continue to keep calm and carry on as best they can.

This week’s schedule is jam packed with engagements for the vast majority of senior royals, not forgetting the Prince of Wales’s trip to Saudi Arabia.

So for them, it’s about keeping the show on the road and reminding the public about the good work the Firm does, despite the grim Epstein revelations that continue to dominate the news agenda.

The Prince and Princess of Wales met the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday (Image: Getty Images)

A new appointment

It may have gone unnoticed amid the Epstein storm, but the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales held important meetings this week.

On Wednesday, the monarch welcomed the Archbishop of Canterbury to Buckingham Palace where she acknowledged him as the supreme governor of the Church of England.

The following day, William and Catherine met Dame Sarah Mullally for informal talks at Lambeth Palace. It is understood the visit reflected the importance the royal couple place on faith and their desire to build a strong working relationship with the senior cleric.

It was also announced that the prince will represent the King when Archbishop Sarah is enthroned as the first female holder of the position next month.

Sarah Ferguson hasn’t been seen for weeks (Image: Getty Images)

Where’s Fergie?

With much of the attention on Andrew and Peter Mandelson this week, one question remains unanswered: where has Fergie got to? It’s been almost two months since she was last seen, when she attended the christening of her granddaughter Athena in London.

Since then she has kept a low profile, entirely vanishing from the public eye.

It’s thought that she’s hiding out abroad, with some suggesting that she was sunning it up on Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise in the Caribbean. But he came out and publicly dismissed the rumours.

Other suggestions are that she’s visiting her sister, Jane, in Australia, staying at an Alpine ski lodge or staying with one of her daughters.

But no matter where Fergie is, at least she’s keeping her head down and trying to ride out the storm in peace. Her ex-husband could certainly learn a thing or two from that.

Saudi Arabia

Once again I find myself facing my flying fears as early this morning I hopped on a plane headed for Riyadh as I join the Prince of Wales on his first official trip abroad of 2026. Over the next few days I’ll be covering William as he represents the British government in Saudi Arabia. He’s due to arrive on Monday evening and will conduct two full days of engagements celebrating “growing trade, energy and investment ties”.

Aides have long described the future king as a global statesman, and this has been seen acutely through his ability to foster warm relationships with divisive world leaders. US President Donald Trump is the perfect example of that.

All eyes will be on William this week as he seeks to showcase that all important royal soft power when he meets controversial leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on home soil.

It will mark his first official visit to the Middle East country, famed for its vast wealth and accusations of human rights abuses from across the globe, and it falls to the prince to strengthen ties between the nations as it seeks to finalise a trade deal.

Meghan Markle has launched a new chocolate range (Image: Instagram)

Chocolate treats

Forgotten to pick up a Valentine’s Gift for your loved one? Don’t fret as Meghan Markle has got you covered. The Duchess of Sussex, has collaborated with luxury chocolatier Compartes and released some limited edition chocolate bars.

From dark chocolate layered with raspberry spread and sea salt, a milk chocolate bar studded with shortbread cookies and a white chocolate bar with flower sprinkles and hemp hearts.

She’s even launched a Valentine’s Edit, featuring four bars of chocolate, strawberry and raspberry spreads, hibiscus tea, flower sprinkles and one of her signature candles. All for the bargain price of… £137 ($185). What a pity she doesn’t yet ship to the UK.