Prince Andrew's 'royal title at risk' due to little-known parliament rule amid latest controversy
Prince Andrew's royal future may be in jeopardy as a new biography, set for release next week, contains several damning allegations against the disgraced royal, sparking concerns about his future association with the Firm. Andrew Lownie's new book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, discusses multiple controversies surrounding the Duke of York.
These include his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and claims that Andrew engaged in a physical fight with his nephew, Prince Harry, after discovering "something Andrew said behind his back". The Duke of Sussex has since denied this allegation with a representative telling People magazine: "I can confirm neither of those things are true. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew e ver make those comments about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry."
The claims come hot on the heels of Andrew's widely reported connection with suspected "Chinese spy" Yang Tengbo and the prolonged "siege of Royal Lodge" which saw a frustrated King Charles withdraw his younger brother's million-pound-a-year personal allowance. According to the Daily Telegraph's Royal Correspondent Hannah Furness, questions are now discreetly being raised by Palace insiders about how greater distance may be established between the monarchy and Prince Andrew, the Express reports.
She claims a little-known process exists, where Parliament "can remove not just a Dukedom but even the title of Prince." She noted that this bold move "would need legislation, followed by Royal Assent from the King, but it is nevertheless technically possible."
Prince Andrew's royal future could also be at risk when Charles passes away and Prince William ascends to the throne.
Royal historian Christopher Wilson believe that William could be "ruthless" in severing ties with his disgraced uncle.
He said: "I think to a large extent Charles has adhered to [his mother, the late Queen's] safe policy – the moment you start tearing the family apart, where does it stop?"
He continued: "With William, it will be a different approach – he has hard-nosed ideas about how the Royal family needs to appear in the frenzied social media world we now inhabit, and I think will be ruthless."
The Royal Family first started to distance themselves from Andrew in 2022 when his military titles and royal patronages were "returned to the Queen", Andrew's late mother.
The move came amidst US civil action over sexual assault claims against the Duke of York.
The 65-year-old also consented to forgo his HRH title and withdrew from public duties.
Similarly to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Andrew kept his HRH title but concurred not to use it officially.
However, since then, accusations against the royal have continued to mount and a Palace insider told The Telegraph that "something still needs to be done".
Queries arose regarding Andrew's personal gains during his decade-long tenure as international trade envoy, with one former Buckingham Palace insider telling Andrew Lownie: "There are dozens, if not hundreds, more unwise connections to uncover from Andrew's years in the role."
Critics also underlined how the duke's business excursions, which have been described as being conducted in a "boorish and very self-centred" manner, would frequently coincide with proximity to renowned ski resorts and golf destinations.
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He was nicknamed "Air Miles Andy" due to his regular extravagant, fully-funded journeys.
Christopher Wilson suggests that King Charles may put even more distance between his younger sibling and the Royal Family should parliamentarians pose questions about the Duke's ambassadorial period, potentially indicating misappropriation of public money.
Should such proof surface, Wilson states: "Charles could act in the best interests of preserving the monarchy".
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