Prince Andrew was notably absent from the Trooping the Colour event today as King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family gathered to celebrate the monarch’s birthday. This absence comes amidst reports of a feud between Andrew and Charles, with the King allegedly urging his brother to leave his Royal Lodge home. The Duke of York has not attended Trooping the Colour in five years, with his last appearance being in 2019.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew stems from his association with Jeffrey Epstein, which led him to step down from public life in 2019. Despite previous requests to move out of Royal Lodge, Andrew has refused to budge, much to the frustration of Charles. The King is responsible for the royal household’s finances and may choose to restrict funds from Andrew, making it difficult for him to meet the upkeep costs of the property.
There have been suggestions for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which would reduce the need for additional security. However, Andrew has been slow to acknowledge the situation, leading to speculation that he may dig in his heels and resist any further attempts to remove him from Royal Lodge.
The ongoing standoff between Andrew and Charles has shed light on the Duke of York’s unpopularity among the public. A recent YouGov survey showed that only 9 per cent of people viewed Andrew favorably, while a staggering 76 per cent expressed dislike towards him. This further complicates the situation for Andrew, as public opinion plays a significant role in the royal family’s image and reputation.
As the controversy surrounding Andrew continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and whether he will eventually comply with Charles’ wishes to vacate Royal Lodge. The ongoing feud between the brothers has captured public attention and raised questions about the future of the Duke of York within the royal family.