Prince Andrew has faced a string of unwelcome headlines after the publication of an unflattering biogrpahy – and Jennie Bond believes there is one thing he should do
Prince Andrew may still be clinging to his grand home and title – but there is one thing he should give up, according to an expert.
The disgraced Duke of York has been back in the headlines after the publication of a bombshell biography, which has delved into the private life of the late Queen’s son, depicting him as sex obsessed, a “useful idiot” and easy prey for Jeffrey Epstein.
Off the back of the book, a new poll has found that the majority of the public would back the removal of Andrew’s York dukedom, as well as his princely title.
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Andrew stepped away from public duties in 2019 amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein following his Newsnight interview and stopped using His Royal Highness.
But despite no longer being a working royal, he has appeared at family events. Just earlier this year, he joined the King and several other senior royals for their traditional Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
So, is there any way Andrew could somehow claw himself back into public acceptance? For former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, this time has long gone.
She told the Mirror : “His best course of action is to lie low, enjoy the immensely privileged lifestyle he still has, embrace his family life, and do as his brother asks.
“If he is still invited to family gatherings, he would do well to forego the protocol of walking in order of precedence and fade quietly into the background. In other words: show a bit of humility, Andrew, because we haven’t seen a shred of it yet.
For his titles to be removed, legislation would be required for Parliament to prevent Andrew from continuing as the Duke of York. At the same time, his birthright to be a prince, as the son of a monarch, could be changed if a Letters Patent were issued by the King.
But even though Jennie believes Andrew has damaged the monarchy’s reputation, she doubts his titles will be taken.
She added: “He has already been sacked by his mother, stripped of his military appointments, and banned from using his HRH in any official capacity.
“His brother, the King, has cut off his allowance and his security costs and wants him out of Royal Lodge. You could argue that he has already paid a hefty price. But opinion polls continue to show that he is deeply disliked, and the public wants to see him squirm.
“I’m not sure that taking his Dukedom away would serve any great purpose, other than making the King look particularly vindictive, and causing Parliament to spend time on an issue that doesn’t affect the rest of us: MPs surely have better things to do?”