LONDON (AP) — He has misplaced his title as prince, misplaced his rent-free mansion on the sprawling grounds subsequent to Windsor Citadel and misplaced no matter remained of his fame within the public eye.
What’s subsequent for the commoner as soon as often known as Prince Andrew most likely includes a fleet of transferring vans as he packs up the trimmings of his as soon as royal life to maneuver to an remoted non-public residence owned by his brother, King Charles III.
However life as he knew it would change dramatically given the king’s unprecedented act to guard the monarchy by stripping his youthful brother of his titles and evicting him to punish him for critical lapses of judgment over his friendship with intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“On a personal level, it must be pretty devastating and the ultimate humiliation for him,” said Joe Little, editor of Majesty Magazine. “We know him to be rather an arrogant character, but this has got to be taking its toll on him mentally. It would be very strange if it weren’t.”
Downsizing his digs
It was not precisely clear what home the civilian now often known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will occupy on the king’s non-public property at Sandringham 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of London. However it would undoubtedly be smaller than Royal Lodge, the 30-room luxurious residence that belies its rustic title.
Because the Epstein drama was reignited not too long ago by revelations that Andrew stayed pals with the disgraced financier longer than he beforehand disclosed, his maintain on the property grew to become tenuous regardless of a “cast-iron” lease. Almost a half-century remained on the lease that required the annual sum of a mere peppercorn, a historic and symbolic determine typically utilized in actual property transactions.
Andrew, 65, didn’t put up a combat when he was served discover to give up the lease to the house on 99 acres (50 hectares) that features a swimming pool, a number of cottages and a chicken enclosure.
He’ll transfer as quickly as sensible to Sandringham, the longtime refuge for Charles alongside the wind-swept North Beach of japanese England. The 20,000 acre (8,000 hectare) property is the place the household spends Christmas.
How quickly he strikes, nevertheless, was not disclosed, however he isn’t anticipated to be among the many different family members who’re seen in public strolling to church on Christmas morning.
Influence on the household
The transfer to insulate the crown from the scandal-tainted Andrew won’t have an effect on simply the previous prince.
Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who was additionally ensnared within the Epstein scandal, had shared Royal Lodge with him. Ferguson, who’s now not often known as the Duchess of York, should discover a new place to reside.
The couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, nevertheless, will retain their titles together with HRH, which stands for her royal highness, as a result of they’re the granddaughters of a sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II.
King’s non-public purse to prop up brother
The king is stepping in together with his non-public wealth to financially help his brother, whose cash woes have been on the coronary heart of earlier scandals over shady enterprise offers and questionable relationships.
Andrew ceased being a working member of the royal household since he was suspended from duties following a disastrous 2019 interview by which he tried to defend his relationship with Epstein. He has no recognized supply of revenue past a modest pension from his 22-year Royal Navy profession.
George Gross, a royal knowledgeable at King’s School London, stated the monetary association is sensible. It shields the king from criticism Andrew is drawing from public coffers and reveals he isn’t abandoning his brother.
“If Andrew is unable to be a working royal, and presumably is unemployable, then there has to be a little bit of thought as to what on earth is done with him for the remainder of his life,” Gross stated. “It’s clearly important that he’s provided for in some ways, because otherwise he becomes a potential pawn for anybody with negative or bad intentions.”
Holds place in line of succession
Regardless of dropping his the Aristocracy, Andrew stays eighth in line to the throne.
Eradicating him from the road of succession would require motion from Parliament and that’s unlikely at this level.
Lawmakers might have eliminated Andrew’s titles, however the king took motion partly to spare the federal government from losing time on the matter.
Whether or not there’s an urge for food to take up the succession situation later — or if the Epstein saga continues to convey damaging headlines — is unknown.
Whereas he is technically in line to be king some day, Gross stated: “Of course, that’s entirely unrealistic.”
