King Charles is seen for the first time since stripping Andrew of his prince titles and kicking him out of Royal Lodge
King Charles was seen for the first time since his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten stripped Windsor of his right to call himself a prince.
The King looked pensive as he drove his Range Rover around Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Friday morning.
The king took over the task of driving the car, accompanied by a royal guard sitting in the passenger seat.
Last night Buckingham Palace rudely announced that the disgraced former Duke of York would give up the lease on his mansion, Royal Lodge, and be exiled to a private home on his Norfolk estate.
The unprecedented move comes as pressure mounts to strip Andrew of every privilege he has as a royal, even after he stepped back from official duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview six years ago.
Sources told the Daily Mail that the move was entirely up to the King and his advisors, without pressure from the government or other family members such as Prince William.
They said this was the result of ‘serious errors of judgment shown by his brother’. It is said that the king’s decision also had the support of his family.
A Kensington Palace source said: ‘The Royal Family, including the Prince of Wales, fully supports the King’s leadership on this matter. These decisions are the King’s decision, with the support of the extended family.’
King Charles was seen on Thursday night for the first time since effectively removing his brother from royal life.
The King looked pensive as he drove his Range Rover around Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Friday morning
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, as he is now known, has given up his all but remains eighth in line to the throne
Buckingham Palace’s nonchalant statement on Thursday evening made clear that the King found it ‘necessary’ to take action against his disgraced brother.
‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove Prince Andrew’s Style, Titles and Honors,’ the statement said.
‘Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
‘His lease at the Royal Lodge has thus far provided him with legal protection to continue his residence.
‘Formal notice has been given to abandon the lease and he will be moving to alternative private accommodation.
‘These condemnations are deemed necessary even though he continues to deny the allegations against him.’
In a telling addition, the Palace added: ‘Her Majesty wishes to make it clear that her thoughts and utmost sympathies are with, and remain with, the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.’
