Disgraced Prince Andrew Wants to Write His Own Tell-All Memoir to "Set the Record Straight," Sources Claim

Because of his association with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew was stripped of his status as a working member of the British royal family, and his reputation tanked along with his net worth. But Andrew has sighted a possible way back into the public's good graces, if not the royal family's: Write a tell-all memoir, his version of Prince Harry's blockbuster Spare. Multiple news outlets, including the Sun, the Daily Mail, and the Daily Beast, have reported that plans are underway for exactly that. Andrew's first priority is reportedly to "set the record straight" about his social encounters with Epstein. The second, not insignificantly, is to make money. Andrew has been cut off from the royal purse and may even lose his palace-subsidized home in King Charles's zeal to slash the monarchy's expenses. Read on to find out everything that's at stake.

A Chance to Tell His Side

"It's being talked about regularly," a source told the Daily Beast. "Sarah [Ferguson, his ex-wife] has had real success with her books and has great publishing contacts. Harry's book has proved that there is no shortage of appetite for stories about the royal family. Why shouldn't Andrew tell his side of the story now his mother is gone?" At least two "leading publishers" are interested in a memoir written by Andrew, the Daily Mail reported. A book would provide Andrew with a controlled environment to tell his story, the polar opposite of his last major attempt to defend himself, an interview on BBC's Newsnight, which was immediately denounced as a fiasco.

Beyond Epstein, He Probably Has Some Dirt

The book would allow Andrew to wash off some of the Epstein scandal's taint. Last year, Andrew also settled out of court with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him after being trafficked by Epstein as a minor. On top of it, Andrew has several decades' more material than Harry about life in the Royal Family.

A source told the Daily Mail: "Andrew was the original spare and there's plenty of material. Compared to Harry, he has a far greater depth of history to draw from. Writing a book would give him the opportunity to fully explain his association with Jeffrey Epstein and the resulting fall-out. But it would also be a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the Royals and their relationships."

His Friends Say "He Should Just Forget It," Insider Claims

A spicy and sympathetic bestseller could go a long way toward restoring Andrew's tattered reputation, but another royal tell-all is likely the last thing Buckingham Palace wants to contend with in the near future, the early days of King Charles's reign having been overshadowed by the release of Spare.

"Everyone close to him is telling him it's a stupid idea and he should just forget it," an insider told The Sun on Sunday. But it's unclear whether Andrew will listen to them when money people are talking in his other ear—because he urgently needs money. 

At Crossroads, Andrew Needs Income, Source Claims

Andrew has told friends he received no inheritance when his mother died. Because of the scandal, he is no longer a working royal. King Charles is reportedly eager to end extended relatives' dependence on the crown. Andrew may have to leave his longtime home, the Royal Lodge, if he can't find money for needed repairs. "Andrew needs to find ways of making money and supporting himself," a source told the Daily Mail. "It would be a huge wrench to leave Royal Lodge. But mainly he wants to set the record straight. If he doesn't change the narrative, no one else will." 

RELATED: Prince Harry's Confession Could Be a Massive Threat to His Future: "No Exception for Royalty"

One Complication: "The Slime Factor"

But Jeremy Murphy, founder of New York-based PR firm 360bespoke, told the Daily Mail that Andrew likely can't look forward to the kind of financial windfall Harry enjoyed with his book (including a reported $20 million advance). "I have no doubt someone would make Andrew an offer," said Murphy. "However, it is unlikely to be one of the big publishers. He still has the slime factor. Many publishers are owned by huge corporations, and the blowback from giving this man a platform would not go over well with a big publicly traded company." Murphy said the book would likely be picked up by a smaller house. "And I do not think he would get a big advance," he said. "It would be likely a contract which rewarded him on the back end with royalties. I would be surprised if an advance was even a million dollars."