Then, it was the Duchess who was credited with persuading a bullish Prince Andrew not to attend the lunch after palace sources urged him to “do the decent thing”. The King was said at the time to be “very grateful” for her efforts.
Following the most recent revelations, which prompted several charities to sever ties with the Duchess, a source told the Sunday Times: “You can’t sack someone from being your brother. But this year, if the Duke and Duchess were both to be as honourable [as last year], it would be for the best and the family would not be disappointed, not least to avoid the King having to make any more difficult decisions.”
The approach is said to be supported by the Prince of Wales, who has long taken a hardline stance on his errant uncle and is concerned about the reputational risk the Yorks pose to the institution.
He was caught on camera earlier this month seemingly trying to ignore the Duke as he tried to engage him in conversation on the steps of Westminster Cathedral following the Duchess of Kent’s funeral.
The development will come as a particular blow to the Duchess, who since the death of Elizabeth II had been welcomed back into the family fold.
In December 2023, he was permitted to join the Royals on the traditional Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham for the first time in more than 30 years. She has also been invited to join the family at Balmoral during the summer holidays in recent years, including this summer.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
