Expert Claims King Charles Has 'Not Much Sympathy’ Left for Andrew After His Latest Actions
The downfall of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reached a new low this week as King Charles took another decisive step in reshaping the former Prince's public standing. Notices published in The Gazette confirmed the cancellation of the disgraced royal’s appointments to both the Order of the Garter and the Royal Victorian Order, erasing his name from their registers. This final blow to the 65-year-old’s royal identity follows years of controversy surrounding his ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Following this, several royal experts also observed that the sovereign showed no ‘sympathy’ for his younger brother, placing the stability of the monarchy above everything else.
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich was among the first to talk on the monarch’s latest move. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she said that the move was overdue but unavoidable. "As with all things, acting decisively and early is preferable, better late than never. It’s also a clear indication that Prince William is prevailing," she explained, highlighting that the heir apparent has been quietly shaping major family decisions with a firmer hand. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as due to Mountbatten-Windsor’s many scandals, Prince William has long kept his uncle at arm’s length. The clearest example of this being at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, when the Prince of Wales looked less than thrilled standing near the former Prince.
Another royal expert, Ian Pelham Turner, reinforced the idea that there is “not much sympathy” left for the disgraced royal within the Palace walls. He suggested that the monarch has maintained a degree of caution around his younger brother for years. "King Charles, I believe, has kept Andrew on side partly out of brotherly loyalty, partly to ensure no new ‘Spare’ book comes out," Turner explained. Though this patience has now worn thin, and Charles's latest action signals that he is no longer willing to let his younger brother's presence cast a dark shadow over the institution.
Some also believe that the timing of the announcement was quite deliberate. Royal commentator Meredith Constant suggested, "With all the news about the royals and their leasing agreements … and the headache that is getting Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge, this was a perfect opportunity for The Palace to release this update.” She further explained that the removal of the 65-year-old’s final honors created a sense of “surface-level accountability,” which in turn strengthened the King’s position at a sensitive moment. In her words, "It makes King Charles look strong, which leads to positive press coverage."
But did this strategy really work? Fresh disclosures from the Crown Estate suggest otherwise. Newly released documents confirm that Mountbatten-Windsor formally submitted his twelve-month lease notice on October 30, the same day it was announced by Buckingham Palace that he had been asked to vacate Royal Lodge. Under the terms of the lease, this gives him a full year before he is required to leave the Windsor Great Park residence. Though his relocation to Sandringham is said to proceed as planned, given the deteriorated condition of the Grade II-listed residence, he is unlikely to receive any compensation, despite investing about $10 million in its refurbishments between 2003 and 2005.