Royal commentators are starting to talk about the possibility of Prince Andrew losing his title.
In case you need a refresher, it's been about 10 months since Andrew stepped away from public life over his alleged involvement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He claimed he would walk away for the foreseeable future, but some things have changed since that proclamation.
For one, Epstein's long-time girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was arrested for her part in the abuse of the young girls in Epstein's orbit. Ghislaine and Andrew have been photographed together on numerous occasions. It brought all speculation about Andrew and the accusations against him back to light. Worse, it was just after the dust of the disastrous BBC interview was finally settling.
There's also the FBI situation. The organization has spoken out on multiple occasions about wanting to talk to the Duke of York. He has yet to comply, despite previously offering to.
Making the fact that Andrew hasn't been stripped of the title even odder is his nephew. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle retain their HRH status, but are no longer to use them. Additionally, Harry was stripped of his military titles, which Andrew has been allowed to keep.
The royal family is continuing to realize that more has to be done about Prince Andrew. Royal commentators have begun speculating that Andrew's HRH title and military titles might be stripped by the Queen. The big question is when?
Andrew stepped away from public life in 2019 after a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight. The prince sought to defend himself against allegations against him. Instead, he offered bizarre rants defending his friendship with Epstein, who died in jail.
When Andrew stepped away from public life, he lost his ÂŁ250,000 salary from public funds. But the step back hasn't kept Andrew out of the headlines. He's been kept out of the public eye at royal family functions, such as his daughter Beatrice's July wedding, and people have noticed.
That said, he still has a lot of his royal privileges. He retains the HRH style and military titles, awards, and honors. He continues to live at the Royal Lodge, all of which is funded by the Queen's private fund, the Duchy of Lancaster.
The fact that he's been allowed to continue to exercise such privilege feels a little hypocritical. Consider the terms of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exodus.
The two pretty much promised to maintain a way of life that would still be representative of the Crown. Although they're still technically entitled to use their HRH style, they no longer do so. Harry also had to give up his military titles and honors, which was an emotional experience for the devoted veteran.
Similarly, Princess Diana was stripped of her HRH upon the finalization of her divorce from Prince Charles.
Nigel Cawthorne, the author of Prince Andrew, Epstein, and the Palace, predicted that Andrew may lose access to his HRH soon. He spoke to Express about the possibilities.
Nigel said the fact that the royals are considering a more serious reckoning is shown through the planning of Prince Philip's 100th birthday celebration.
Reports recently indicated that Andrew will not be invited to any official events in Philip's honor next June. Organizers of a celebratory royal photo exhibition were allegedly told to exclude photos that included Andrew.
"There is a warning from up high to play down Andrew. He will be included as little as possible," a source told The Sun.
"It's not whitewashing history because you can't leave him out entirely," the source continued.
"But it will not make a big deal of his relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh over the years. This is obviously proving difficult because he is his son and it's playing down his role in the family."
Aside from Philip's 100th birthday, there are more milestones in the year ahead. The Queen's 95th birthday will be celebrated, as well as the Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years of her reign.
Nigel explains that the family, and in this instance Philip, is struggling with how to handle him. He is "extremely fond and very proud of his son," Nigel says, despite "know[ing] that Andrew's name is poison currently."
Nigel feels that the urgency is starting to really set in.
"The survival of the monarchy requires that Buckingham Palace backs away from his son," Nigel explains.
"It is a poignant moment and the loss of Prince Andrew's HRH title is highly likely merely a matter of time now."
This year, royal social media accounts didn't use Andrew's HRH in birthday wishes. The last two years, they have. People wondered if the subtle move was the first step.
"Prince Andrew is virtually retired and can no longer carry out royal duties," Nigel noted earlier this year.
"So surely he should give up the HRH title and the money he receives from the Privy Purse," he continued.
"Harry and Meghan, who were upset about losing their HRH, will be thinking it's a little bit unfair Andrew gets to keep his."
Even Piers Morgan, one of the Sussexes' biggest critics, noted the hypocrisy in how Andrew is being treated, noting "he's brought disgrace" upon the family.
