The Profumo Example
Ross Fitzgerald and Dick Whitaker
Nov 04 2025

The public scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor — the Royal formerly known as Prince Andrew — has been a tragedy for all concerned, not least in creating a schism between King Charles and his younger brother.

Although he persists in denying any wrongdoing, Andrew has become a pariah in the UK and around the globe. After further damaging revelations about his alleged misbehaviour in the late Virginia Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl his situation became untenable and, more than that, could irreparably damage a Royal brand that Charles has spent years mending. Andrew was stripped by the King of all his titles and honours and instructed to leave his Royal Lodge at Windsor, which to some is too little too late.

Yet despite these unprecedented actions by the King, Andrew remains 8th in line to the throne. Perhaps to prevent Andrew from going public via a book or TV deal (which could only make things worse) King Charles will be paying him a substantial annual stipend. To keep him quiet and out of view if nothing else.

But while Andrew will never be a Prince again, there is possibly a way back for his public dignity, with a seminal event in British political history providing a guide or exemplar. There are some strong similarities between Andrew’s current parlous situation and that of John Profumo, a senior politician in Britain’s Conservative Party, who was Secretary for War from 1960 to 1963 under Prime Minister Harold MacMillan.

During this time Profumo conducted a sexual relationship with a 19-year-old ‘model’, Christine Keeler, a situation he denied later in the House of Commons. However on June 5, 1963, he was forced by relentless media pressure to admit he had lied to the House, a cardinal sin in British politics. Profumo resigned from office in public disgrace. Soon after, he admitted to his second wife, Valerie Hobson, a much-loved British actress, his sexual involvement with Keeler, who had also been in a sexual relationship with a Russian spy.

A well-connected London osteopath, Stephen Ward, had introduced Keeler to Profumo, and she was also simultaneously involved with Yevgeny Ivanov, whose formal position was Russian naval attaché. A central figure in the scandal, Stephen Ward was later put on trial for living off the “immoral earnings” of Keeler and her friend, Mandy Rice-Davies. Shortly after his conviction Ward committed suicide by overdosing on pills, further stoking what had become a veritablen industry of speculation and pulp publishing.

Revelations of Keeler’s simultaneous sexual relationship with Ivanov prompted intense political and media concerns about a potential national security risk. There were even rumours Keeler had been asked to glean information for the Soviets from the Secretary for War about the placement of American nuclear missiles outside the US.

Although this certainly marked the end of John Profumo’s political life, he was eventually able to recover his public dignity. This was due to his good works at Toynbee Hall, a charity operating in London’s East End. Profumo worked there as a volunteer for the rest of his life and was able to use his “political skills and high-level contacts to raise large sums of money”. This tireless charity work was a very effective form of public remorse that finally redeemed Profumo’s tarnished reputation.

Indeed, well-known social reform and morals campaigner Lord Longford, who eventually became a friend, was quoted as saying he felt more admiration for Profumo “than (for) all the men I’ve known in my lifetime.”

In 1975 Profumo, who died in March 2006, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. According to Wikipedia, Profumo, “received the honour at a Buckingham Palace ceremony from Queen Elizabeth II, signalling a return to respectability. In 1995, former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher invited him to her 70th birthday dinner, where he sat next to the Queen.” Despite the very public scandal in 1963, Valery Hobson was a strong force in her husband’s rehabilitation. She remained married to Profumo until her death in November 1998.

There are important lessons to be learned here for former Prince Andrew. If he were to confess and show public remorse and work for charity pro bono it could greatly help to redeem him. Although if he did admit his guilt in the matter there may be some legal action that would spell his doom in the public eye. Andrew still has powerful contacts that would be invaluable to any potential charity work although he has not shown any sort of contrition thus far. Rather, he seems to be in a kind of death spiral and might be considered a risk of severe self-harm, an outcome of no value to anyone.
Just as the Profumo Affair resulted in the suicide of Stephen Ward, so too we have seen the apparent suicide of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and also of Virginia Roberts Giuffre. In her best-selling memoir, recently and posthumously published, she has again accused Prince Andrew of having sex with her when she was seventeen, an arrangement she claims was organised by Epstein.

In fact, there are strong similarities between Epstein and Stephen Ward. Both were sexual procurers of young women for the sexual gratification of much older men, although Epstein was worse and working on an almost industrial scale.

As for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, if he were to follow John Profumo’s example, it is possible the could turn his life around, but that would require the sort of honesty he has scorned thus far. While he will out of sight in his new home at Sandringham will he also be out of mind? Some of his more severe detractors have suggested he should go into exile, like Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson. And many query if Andrew actually deserves another chance.

We should not forget, however, that he served in the Royal Navy from 1978 to 2001, during which time he became a helicopter pilot and completed the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course – receiving the coveted Green Beret in the process. He also saw active service in the Falklands War, again as a helicopter pilot serving aboard HMS Invincible. His senior officer, Commander Nigel Ward described him as “an excellent pilot, and a very promising officer”. It is generally recognised that because of his Royal Family connections he could have avoided a combat role in the war, but chose not to do so.

His naval career extended well past the Falklands War, and he served in various other roles, including that of Force Aviation officer aboard HMS Campbelltown when this vessel was Flagship of the NATO Force in the North Atlantic.

With this substantial military history, together with his extensive Royal experience, Andrew could still have much to offer Great Britain. It will be a matter of history to see if this is so.

Ross Fitzgerald AM is Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University. His most recent book is Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, coauthored with Ian McFadyen and published by Hybrid in Melbourne.
Dick Whitaker is a widely published author and lecturer in the fields of meteorology and Australian history.

The Profumo Example
Ross Fitzgerald and Dick Whitaker
Nov 04 2025

The public scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor — the Royal formerly known as Prince Andrew — has been a tragedy for all concerned, not least in creating a schism between King Charles and his younger brother.

Although he persists in denying any wrongdoing, Andrew has become a pariah in the UK and around the globe. After further damaging revelations about his alleged misbehaviour in the late Virginia Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl his situation became untenable and, more than that, could irreparably damage a Royal brand that Charles has spent years mending. Andrew was stripped by the King of all his titles and honours and instructed to leave his Royal Lodge at Windsor, which to some is too little too late.

Yet despite these unprecedented actions by the King, Andrew remains 8th in line to the throne. Perhaps to prevent Andrew from going public via a book or TV deal (which could only make things worse) King Charles will be paying him a substantial annual stipend. To keep him quiet and out of view if nothing else.

But while Andrew will never be a Prince again, there is possibly a way back for his public dignity, with a seminal event in British political history providing a guide or exemplar. There are some strong similarities between Andrew’s current parlous situation and that of John Profumo, a senior politician in Britain’s Conservative Party, who was Secretary for War from 1960 to 1963 under Prime Minister Harold MacMillan.

During this time Profumo conducted a sexual relationship with a 19-year-old ‘model’, Christine Keeler, a situation he denied later in the House of Commons. However on June 5, 1963, he was forced by relentless media pressure to admit he had lied to the House, a cardinal sin in British politics. Profumo resigned from office in public disgrace. Soon after, he admitted to his second wife, Valerie Hobson, a much-loved British actress, his sexual involvement with Keeler, who had also been in a sexual relationship with a Russian spy.

A well-connected London osteopath, Stephen Ward, had introduced Keeler to Profumo, and she was also simultaneously involved with Yevgeny Ivanov, whose formal position was Russian naval attaché. A central figure in the scandal, Stephen Ward was later put on trial for living off the “immoral earnings” of Keeler and her friend, Mandy Rice-Davies. Shortly after his conviction Ward committed suicide by overdosing on pills, further stoking what had become a veritablen industry of speculation and pulp publishing.

Revelations of Keeler’s simultaneous sexual relationship with Ivanov prompted intense political and media concerns about a potential national security risk. There were even rumours Keeler had been asked to glean information for the Soviets from the Secretary for War about the placement of American nuclear missiles outside the US.

Although this certainly marked the end of John Profumo’s political life, he was eventually able to recover his public dignity. This was due to his good works at Toynbee Hall, a charity operating in London’s East End. Profumo worked there as a volunteer for the rest of his life and was able to use his “political skills and high-level contacts to raise large sums of money”. This tireless charity work was a very effective form of public remorse that finally redeemed Profumo’s tarnished reputation.

Indeed, well-known social reform and morals campaigner Lord Longford, who eventually became a friend, was quoted as saying he felt more admiration for Profumo “than (for) all the men I’ve known in my lifetime.”

In 1975 Profumo, who died in March 2006, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. According to Wikipedia, Profumo, “received the honour at a Buckingham Palace ceremony from Queen Elizabeth II, signalling a return to respectability. In 1995, former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher invited him to her 70th birthday dinner, where he sat next to the Queen.” Despite the very public scandal in 1963, Valery Hobson was a strong force in her husband’s rehabilitation. She remained married to Profumo until her death in November 1998.

There are important lessons to be learned here for former Prince Andrew. If he were to confess and show public remorse and work for charity pro bono it could greatly help to redeem him. Although if he did admit his guilt in the matter there may be some legal action that would spell his doom in the public eye. Andrew still has powerful contacts that would be invaluable to any potential charity work although he has not shown any sort of contrition thus far. Rather, he seems to be in a kind of death spiral and might be considered a risk of severe self-harm, an outcome of no value to anyone.
Just as the Profumo Affair resulted in the suicide of Stephen Ward, so too we have seen the apparent suicide of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and also of Virginia Roberts Giuffre. In her best-selling memoir, recently and posthumously published, she has again accused Prince Andrew of having sex with her when she was seventeen, an arrangement she claims was organised by Epstein.

In fact, there are strong similarities between Epstein and Stephen Ward. Both were sexual procurers of young women for the sexual gratification of much older men, although Epstein was worse and working on an almost industrial scale.

As for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, if he were to follow John Profumo’s example, it is possible the could turn his life around, but that would require the sort of honesty he has scorned thus far. While he will out of sight in his new home at Sandringham will he also be out of mind? Some of his more severe detractors have suggested he should go into exile, like Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson. And many query if Andrew actually deserves another chance.

We should not forget, however, that he served in the Royal Navy from 1978 to 2001, during which time he became a helicopter pilot and completed the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course – receiving the coveted Green Beret in the process. He also saw active service in the Falklands War, again as a helicopter pilot serving aboard HMS Invincible. His senior officer, Commander Nigel Ward described him as “an excellent pilot, and a very promising officer”. It is generally recognised that because of his Royal Family connections he could have avoided a combat role in the war, but chose not to do so.

His naval career extended well past the Falklands War, and he served in various other roles, including that of Force Aviation officer aboard HMS Campbelltown when this vessel was Flagship of the NATO Force in the North Atlantic.

With this substantial military history, together with his extensive Royal experience, Andrew could still have much to offer Great Britain. It will be a matter of history to see if this is so.

Ross Fitzgerald AM is Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University. His most recent book is Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, coauthored with Ian McFadyen and published by Hybrid in Melbourne.
Dick Whitaker is a widely published author and lecturer in the fields of meteorology and Australian history.

Quadrant 4 November, 2025.