King Charles’ message to Prince Andrew: you’re on your own

In Charles’ first Christmas as King, he appears keen to put space between the monarchy and his troubled younger brother.

King Charles III and Prince Andrew arrive at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19 for the State Funeral Service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: AFP

King Charles has removed his brother, Prince Andrew, from offices inside Buckingham Palace in a move to ensure the disgraced non-working royal is kept distant from the rest of the family during the Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham.

In Charles’ first Christmas as King, he appears keen to put space between the monarchy and his younger brother, who has been on the outer since coming to an out of court civil settlement (with no admission of guilt) with Australian-based woman Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she had sex with Andrew on three occasions.

That civil case stemmed from Andrew’s ill-advised friendship with paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, a situation Andrew has said he now regrets.

Upon acceding to the throne in September, Charles immediately made steps to ensure Andrew, 62, no longer has offices in the palace and that he no can longer use Buckingham Palace address on his stationery.

The Sun reported that the King has made it clear that Andrew is not a working royal and “is on his own”.

Prince Andrew stands at vigil for the late Queen Elizabeth ll inside Westminster Hall on September 16 in London. Picture: Getty Images

Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, are both invited to Christmas at Sandringham, with Charles continuing the longstanding tradition of the senior royals attending St Mary Magdalene’s church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

The Duchess of York had previously on the outer from the royal family at the insistence of Prince Philip, but the Queen invited her to stay at Wood Cottage on the estate last Christmas so that she could be near her daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, and their young families.

It is believed that Andrew may not walk with the royals from Sandringham Hall because he is no longer considered a senior royal.

Earlier this week, Charles had stripped Andrew of his title as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, with his place taken by the Queen Consort, Camilla.

Charles has made it clear to Andrew that there will be no way back into the inner sanctum of the royal family, especially as the King’s plans are for a slimmed-down monarchy focusing on the line of succession, his son Prince William and wife Kate, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

‘Twas the night before Christmas…🎄✨

In December 2020, The King and The Queen Consort were joined by some familiar faces to read the popular poem in support of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund. pic.twitter.com/AglqAvQs2W

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 24, 2022

Charles’ second son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan are not expected in Britain over the Christmas period, and relationships have been further strained since the release of a six-part documentary on Netflix, in which Harry accused the King of lying during a tension-filled Sandringham Summit to discuss the Sussexes’ removal from royal duties. Harry’s memoirs are also due to be released on January 10.

However the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie and their children are expected to join the royals at Sandringham. Also attending will the Princess Royal and her husband. One of the Queen’s children, Laura Lopes, and her husband Harry are expected, along with their children.

Charles filmed his Christmas Day message in early December before the Netflix series was broadcast and it is understand he delivers a moving tribute to the Queen. The speech was filmed at St George’s Chapel, where the Queen was laid to rest alongside Philip.