Buckingham Palace is reportedly witnessing a significant royal confrontation as King Charles III moves to strip his brother, Prince Andrew, of his final remaining military honour. The Duke of York, who has already been largely sidelined from public royal duties, now faces losing his last symbolic connection to the armed forces.
The Final Honour at Stake
According to palace insiders, the King is determined to remove Andrew's position as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the most senior regiments in the British Army. This prestigious role represents the Duke's last remaining military affiliation after he was forced to relinquish his other royal patronages and military titles in 2022.
The Grenadier Guards, founded in 1656, count protecting the monarch as part of their core duties, making Andrew's continued association particularly awkward for the Royal Family. The regiment has historically maintained close ties with the monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II having served as their Colonel-in-Chief before her passing.
A Royal Rift Deepens
Sources suggest the King views this move as essential for protecting the monarchy's reputation and modernising the institution. Charles appears determined to distance the Crown from the controversies that have plagued his younger brother in recent years.
The relationship between the brothers has reportedly grown increasingly strained since Andrew's controversial BBC Newsnight interview in 2019 and his subsequent legal settlement in a civil sexual abuse case in the United States. While Andrew has consistently denied the allegations against him, the damage to his public standing has been substantial.
What This Means for the Duke
Losing the Grenadier Guards colonelcy would represent:
- The complete severing of Andrew's formal military connections
- A significant blow to his status within the Royal Family
- Further confirmation of his permanent exclusion from public duties
- A clear signal that Charles will not reverse decisions made during Queen Elizabeth's reign
This development comes as Andrew continues to reside at Royal Lodge in Windsor, despite reports that the King would prefer him to downsize to smaller accommodation. The Duke appears determined to maintain what footholds he has left within royal circles, but the monarch's latest move suggests the erosion of his brother's position is far from over.
The palace has yet to make an official announcement regarding the Grenadier Guards position, but royal commentators suggest an announcement could come within weeks as part of the King's broader efforts to streamline the monarchy and focus on working royals who maintain public confidence.
