The final straw for a King whose brother had become poisonous

His expression reflected his usual bullishness. He said: “The ongoing accusations against me distract from the work of the monarch.”

“As always, I decided to put my duty to my family and my country first.”

Being allowed to explain this was the final concession from the King, who was reluctant to act hastily or appear cruel to his younger brother.

Even so, the situation had become unbearable.

What was initially a difficult sideshow for the monarchy has turned into a toxic crisis that threatens to undermine it.

Prince Andrew’s appearance outside Westminster Cathedral for the funeral of the Duchess of Kent laid out the problem for all the world to see. Laughing and mingling, Andrew could not have looked more incongruous; Prince William studiously avoided her.

Optics aren’t everything in the royal family, but they’re also nothing.

If there had been a scandal, Andrew could have gotten away with it. In fact, he endured more than one for a long time.

He had the quiet support of his mother, and the most serious charges against him were never proven in court.

Loading

But as every headline and poll placed him at the bottom of public opinion, the pressure grew on King Charles.

First, palace sources looked at what the late Queen Elizabeth had already done. The duke had withdrawn from public and business life but remained a member of the family; therefore, he could participate in family activities.

A source recently said he “cannot be banned from church,” referring to the only place he is regularly seen in public with his family.

The King and his aides then made it clear that they wanted him to leave the Royal Lodge, his large Windsor home, where getting him out proved impossible. They publicly lost that battle when Andrew presented his watertight contract with the Crown Estate.

While constitutional experts explained exactly how the title of Duke of York and even the title of Prince could be abolished, the palace still hoped that it would not be necessary to maintain it.

The King, whose cancer diagnosis and treatment had such an impact on his reign, had other pressing priorities.

Days ago he was said to be still “undecided” on what to do to solve the “Prince Andrew problem”.

The Prince of Wales had made it clear, without saying a word in public, that he was more willing to take stronger action if it were up to him one day.

Now finally there will be no need for this: the King has done the honor. More precisely, he encouraged his brother to give up this honor.

This situation caused no small amount of sadness within the family unit.

It is said that although the King disliked the process, he was pleased with the outcome. Prince William was consulted.

For the former Duke of York, it’s the end of the royal road. Or should be.

In practical terms, this decision will have few significant consequences. There is no Christmas parade at Sandringham, no Order of the Garter and a low profile, if at all, at so-called “family” events.

Loading

He settled into a quiet life in Windsor, riding horses and spending time with his ex-wife, two daughters and young grandchildren.

However, this would upset a prince who enjoys his status and privileges and is proud to serve his country.

It will not make for happy reading if he enters the history books as one of the few dukes whose title has shamefully disappeared from use.

Even the abdication of Edward VIII, which was so scandalous at the time and so important for British history, was neither that unpleasant nor that long-lasting by today’s standards.

The king and his heir are constantly asked, “How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew?” He will hope that the question has been resolved once and for all.

It was decades in the making and personally distressing for everyone. This is also a compromise: the title is not “taken away”, it is given up.

Prince Andrew has finally ticked off an important item on his brother’s to-do list with his statement. There’s a little saving grace in this.

Telegraph, London