Seven signs in Queen’s statement that Prince Andrew is banished forever from the Royal Family
A BOMBSHELL statement released by the Queen yesterday has effectively banished her son Prince Andrew from the Royal Family. The tightly-written 42-word missive from Her Majesty will likely result in the Duke of York fading from public life forever. And a series of clues in the carefully-worded note reveal there is no way back for […]
A BOMBSHELL statement released by the Queen yesterday has effectively banished her son Prince Andrew from the Royal Family.
The tightly-written 42-word missive from Her Majesty will likely result in the Duke of York fading from public life forever.
And a series of clues in the carefully-worded note reveal there is no way back for Andrew, who is facing a sex abuse trial in the US.
The royal was summoned to Windsor Castle by his mother at 11.30am before being stripped of his royal patronages and military titles.
He is said to be stunned at the decision, which came less than 24 hours after New York judge Lewis Kaplan ruled he must face a civil trial on allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.
Andrew vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Here are the seven signs that he has been consigned to the royal wilderness.
The two-line statement reveals Her Majesty personally agreed with aides’ advice that Andrew must step away from the family.
“With the Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen,” it reads.
The wording forcefully shows that she backs the decision to expel the son many claim has always been her “favourite”.
In spite of that, insiders said the decision was one of the hardest in the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Andrew now faces being kicked out of his 31-bedroom Georgian mansion and losing his police protection.
He may be forced to move into Harry and Meghan’s old home, Frogmore Cottage, as their lease runs out in April.
‘PRIVATE CITIZEN’
The next part of the statement reads: “The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
This is likely to have come as a particularly stinging blow to Andrew, who will battle on in his civil case with Virginia Giuffre.
The Duke is reportedly now seeking an out-of-court settlement.
It could be up to £10million — the amount he will get from selling his chalet in Verbier, Switzerland.
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But any action he takes from now on will be by himself.
Palace insiders had claimed the Queen would have been asked to help him pay for his settlement.
She has also reportedly been paying his legal fees since he first appointed a lawyer last February after his disastrous Newsnight interview.
Andrew will no longer be able to rely on those streams of income – and, if he does choose to settle, he will stump up the costs alone.
NO RETURN
Andrew’s titles were initially held in abeyance following the Newsnight interview, when he stepped back from public life.
But he now loses his honorary roles of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and RAF Air Commodore with immediate effect.
He will no longer be entitled to wear their uniforms at Cenotaph memorials and the upcoming thanksgiving service for his late father Prince Philip.
A Palace source says these titles will not be returned, regardless of what happens with the lawsuit.
Andrew, a Navy helicopter pilot in the Falklands War, will still be allowed to wear his medals like other veterans.
He was also stripped of dozens of royal patronages for golf clubs, universities, yacht clubs, sports associations, medical institutions, charities and art establishments.
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However, he retains his rank of Vice Admiral in the Navy, which was handed to him in 2015 after he retired in 2001.
He is also believed to have retained his Order of the Garter bestowed on him in June 2014.
As one of the Queen’s four children he continues as Counsellor of State — so he can step in for her if she is unable to perform her duties due to illness or absence abroad.
It’s claimed many of his roles will be handed out to his brothers and sister. Princess Anne will reportedly be handed several of the titles.
The move echoes Megxit, when Harry was also ordered to give up his military titles and patronages. The Duke of Sussex was said to be deeply upset at the decision.
At Prince Philip’s funeral last April, the decision was made that none of the royals would attend in military uniform, to spare any embarrassment for Harry and Andrew.
FAMILY’S APPROVAL
Sources say the decision was “widely discussed” by the whole family before Andrew learned his fate.
It means the royals have acted in unison to protect the future of The Firm – and found no place for Andrew within it.
Charles has long spoken of his plans for a “slimmed down” monarchy, and in 2019 it was alleged he already wanted Andrew gone.
When he becomes king, he will be flanked by just his own family, their partners and their children, it’s believed.
Their number won’t include Harry or Meghan following their decision to step back from the royal frontline.
Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as their husbands and children, will also likely not be included.
Optics at the Palace have already begun subtly changing.
In the Queen’s Christmas speech, photos of Kate, William and their children, Charles and Camilla and Prince Philip could be seen.
Images of Meghan and Harry were noticeably absent.
The Duke of Sussex is said to have “re-evaluated life as a royal” after he was left out of photos back in 2019.
HRH TITLE
Just like Harry and Meghan, Andrew will no longer be allowed to use his HRH title.
HRH stands for His or Her Royal Highness, a title reserved for the most senior members of the Royal Family.
Since around the beginning of the 18th century, the acronym has been given to the children and grandchildren of the monarch.
Ultimately, whoever the king or queen is at the time decides whether the title is bestowed – meaning Her Majesty personally intervened in Andrew’s case.
She has the decision to give the title out – which is why her cousin Prince Michael of Kent, 48th in line to the throne, is known as HRH too.
Those who have lost the honour – other than Andrew – include Princess Diana, who was instead known as ‘Diana, Princess of Wales’.
Sarah Ferguson lost her HRH after her divorce from the Duke of York.
WILLIAM’S FURY
Prince William was reportedly a key figure in the Queen’s judgement yesterday, and helped his grandmother realise Andrew’s position was “grave”.
Both he and Charles are said to be in complete agreement that Andrew must go – and were “completely furious” after he “crossed a red line”, The Sun exclusively reported.
The men held an hour-long summit with Her Majesty at Windsor before Andrew was informed of the decision.
They were also both said to have been deeply angry at the suggestion the Queen would be forced to pay Andrew’s legal fees.
A source said both future kings wanted him to “sort out his own mess”.
QUEEN’S DECISION
The Sun understands the Queen personally worded the statement.
Rather than allowing her trusted staff to write the missive on her behalf, she reportedly decided how it should be written herself.
She was also determined not to allow any emotional sentiment into it, it’s said.
It is noticeably different to the statement issued when the Sussexes were stripped of their titles in February 2021.
At that time, a much longer note was issued, which revealed Harry had spoken to his grandmother about her decision.
That particular statement also included a touching addition which hinted at the Queen’s upset.
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It read: “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
No such words were included in the latest statement on Andrew.
It’s led to some sources suggesting Her Majesty’s decision was “ruthless and swift”.
