Black sheep: On Jan 13, Prince Andrew was stripped of all his royal patronages and military affiliations, including the use of the His Royal Highness title – with the queen’s approval. – AFP
THE British monarchy can be ruthless and decisive when it thinks its survival is at stake.
For many years the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, advocated a slimmed down royal family – keeping official duties to a select core of the clan. But he found himself blocked by his mother, the Queen, who protected the status of his younger brother Andrew, the Duke of York. That is until the duke’s behaviour became a live issue in the 2019 general election.
