PRINCE Andrew should go into retirement “for the good of king and country” following the release of new files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo.

He told GB News: “Look, he’s not guilty of anything. He’s denied any wrongdoing and no court of law finds him guilty. But when you’re a prince of the realm that doesn’t really matter.

“He has been found guilty in the eyes of the public and public opinion matters here, the monarchy depends upon public support.

“And you know that he was willing as a brave naval soldier to pay the ultimate sacrifice in the Falklands War. It’s now time for him again to pay another sacrifice and go into retirement for the good of King and country.”

In a discussion with Nigel Farage, he continued: “He did it for Queen and country, now for the King. It may be unfair and unjust, but I think that’s the service he needs to do to the Crown.

“I think that the interest of the monarchy must be supreme, and he’s of an age where he can retire gracefully. There’s every chance for his daughters to take up his torch if they want to.

“But I just think the time has come essentially for him to stop becoming a distraction, we’ve had that was already with the Sussexes.

“The King doesn’t need all of this in his first couple of years as King.”

He added: “He has a role in the private life of the Royal Family, we’ll be seeing him at Sandringham, it’s just a question of not having a formal official role in public as a working Royal. I think that’s a happy compromise.”