Prince Andrew is under growing pressure as his royal titles and knighthood to be put in abeyance without delay. Political leaders are putting greater and greater pressure to force this decision. There are increased concerns about the impact of his public appearances on victims of sexual abuse. Labour MP Rachael Maskell, representing York Central, is actively advocating for a bill that would empower King Charles or a parliamentary committee to formally remove Prince Andrew’s titles.
The royal family is walking a tightrope in an ongoing situation as they decide how to handle Prince Andrew’s participation at public events. He’s uncomfortable with the way people might view his attendance. This fear is heightened in the current climate of victim blaming around sexual abuse. King Charles is reportedly planning to exclude Prince Andrew from all royal occasions, public and private. That is true even for big public events such as his coronation and other key state ceremonies.
Shortly after their agreement, Prince Andrew was back in the public eye. Most suspect that the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles helped finance this settlement on their own. His visible attendance at events, such as the Duchess of Kent’s funeral last month, undoubtedly provoked speculation. The icy body language on display between him and Prince William was what really raised eyebrows.
According to the Guardian, Prince William sees his uncle as a “threat,” due to the reputational risk that is being brought to bear on the monarchy. The Sunday Times captured exactly this sense, giving focus to the continuing battles behind palace walls over the place of Prince Andrew in the royal firm.
The government intends to take the royal family’s advice on any formal decisions to remove titles. In the wake of the demands, King Charles questions the need for intervention by Parliament and feels it would be a misuse of time and effort to work on stripping Prince Andrew’s titles.
Despite these recent changes, Prince Andrew still benefits from this private tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate. This deal allows him to continue residing at Royal Lodge, on his current home on the Windsor royal estate. Concerns remain about the transparency of his financial activities and how he funds his home there.
Prince Andrew’s recent appearances include a prominent role during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, where he participated in the vigil at her lying in state and was allowed to wear military uniform, despite previously being stripped of his military titles.
Virginia Giuffre, who reached a settlement with Prince Andrew, remarked on her decision to adhere to a gag order for one year, stating, “I agreed to a one-year gag order, which seemed important to the prince because it ensured that his mother’s platinum jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been.”
Discussions about the future of Prince Andrew in the royal family remain uncertain. His gestures and actions will go a long way to recalibrating how the public perceives the monarchy. How the royal family handles this new layer will have long-term impacts on their reputation and overall stability.