Kenneth Glad
The debate is no longer only about who appears at royal events. It has also revived questions about the line of succession.
Senior royals are reportedly discussing whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters and grandchildren should continue appearing near the center of royal life as controversy around him continues.
Princess Eugenie’s expected third child has brought renewed attention to the order of succession, according to The Daily Mail.
The child would reportedly enter the line ahead of Prince Edward, the King’s youngest brother, who carries out official royal duties.
Beatrice and Eugenie are not working royals. Even so, they remain members of the wider royal family and keep their places in the succession.
Removing Andrew, his daughters or their children from that line would not be a simple palace decision. It would involve constitutional and legal questions, not only private family judgment.
Pressure within the Palace
The British newspaper, citing an unnamed source, said Queen Camilla has become one of the strongest voices urging King Charles to create more visible distance from Andrew and his immediate family.
One source told the outlet: “Her attitude is that they are all a stain on the monarchy.”
Prince William is also said to favor a tougher approach. His earlier effort to keep Beatrice and Eugenie close has weakened as fallout continues over Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier told the Daily Mail that relations between the Yorks and other royals are now at their lowest point.
Family ties tested
Eugenie’s pregnancy announcement was issued through Buckingham Palace, with King Charles described as pleased by the news. The reports noted that Queen Camilla was not mentioned in the public message.
That leaves Charles facing two pressures at once: Personal affection for his nieces and concern inside the Palace about further damage to the monarchy’s reputation.
For Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, the concern is how the controversy could affect the monarchy when William eventually becomes king.
The York family’s formal position has not changed. Still, the latest reporting suggests Andrew’s problems continue to influence how the monarchy handles his daughters and grandchildren in public.
Source: The Daily Mail
