King Charles will ’never abandon’ Prince Andrew because of worrying fear

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King Charles will ’never abandon’ Prince Andrew because of worrying fear
King Charles will ’never abandon’ Prince Andrew because of worrying fear

Prince Andrew was cast out of taking part in the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations after his links to an alleged Chinese spy emerged - but despite him becoming embroiled in yet another scandal, one royal expert has revealed why she believes King Charles will not push him further from the royal fold, by Jennifer Newton.

With the dawn of 2025, the Royal Family will be hoping for much brighter days ahead.

King Charles is cracking on with a full programme of duties as he continues his cancer treatment, while the Princess of Wales is gradually returning to public life following her own diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment.

However, one dark cloud that continues to hang over the Firm is the future of Prince Andrew. The disgraced Duke of York has been lying low since it emerged before Christmas that he had links to an alleged Chinese spy. He pulled out of Christmas festivities at Sandringham with the rest of the Firm as the scandal grew last month. And ever since, he has been keeping a low profile at his Royal Lodge home In Windsor.

Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York reacts as he arrives at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle qhiquqiqudiqqeinv

It has led to questions as to whether Charles could cast Andrew aside, especially as the King and his younger brother are also reportedly at loggerheads over his Royal Lodge home. And earlier this week, anti-monarchy group Republic called on the Metropolitan Police to investigate the Duke of York without "fear or favour" after reporting him to the force for using the name ’Andrew Inverness’ in his financial dealings.

Andrew is facing fresh scrutiny over his business affairs in the wake of the scandal surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy. The King’s brother, who holds the Scottish courtesy title the Earl of Inverness, was revealed six years ago to have set up a number of firms using the pseudonym. Critics accused him of adopting it in a bid to remain under the radar.

However, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, despite the continued drama, it is unlikely the King will ever completely shut out Andrew completely. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: "Nothing is going to change the fact that Andrew is Charles’s brother. The family already has two totally estranged brothers, it doesn’t need any more.

"So I think this is a year when the King will try to keep the situation with Andrew calm and under control. A lot depends on what, if any, further stories or allegations are made against the Duke in the coming months.

 The Duke of York with his former wife Fergie

"That will dictate whether Charles will ever invite him to be part of private family gatherings or not. At the moment I don’t think the King wants to exacerbate the situation by taking punitive action."

Jennie added that with Andrew said to be ’depressed’, his big brother worries that: "Kicking a man when he’s down can take a dangerous toll on mental health."

As Andrew continued to be dogged by the alleged Chinese spy scandal, one firm supporter he has been able to count on is his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Fergie, who still lives at Royal Lodge and spent Christmas with him.

Just last month in an interview, she said she will always "support" the father of her children. She added: "I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100 per cent. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. It’s still with us today. I won’t let him down."

And Jennie added: "Fergie is his rock, his loyal supporter. For all her past misdemeanours, she is popular within the family and, especially since her cancer scares, there is some sympathy for her. So I don’t buy into conspiracy theories that the family are keeping her sweet out of fears of what she might reveal. After all, she’s already written two autobiographies."

Andrew’s status as a member of the royal family was left in tatters in 2022 when the Queen stripped him of his honorary military roles, remaining royal patronages and he gave up his HRH style in a dramatic fallout from a US civil sex case brought against him.

He no longer attends Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph or the annual Commonwealth Day service. But he was at the King’s coronation, and is still a member of the Order of the Garter, taking part in the senior order of chivalry’s annual service behind closed doors, but does not appear in the public procession.

Andrew carried on joining the royal family for Christmas Day until 2023 and walked from Sandringham House to church with the other royals – seen as symbolic of his gradual rehabilitation within the family but it remains to be seen if he will return to the fold.

Emma Davis

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