Concern and discussion have been sparked by King Charles’ preference for his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, over his own son, Prince Harry. The monarch’s choice appears to be influenced by how he views the nature of each of their offenses.
However, insiders close to King Charles reveal that the monarch views Andrew’s actions as unintentional, leading him to extend a measure of forgiveness and support. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, became involved in a widely publicized “sex scandal.” Prince Andrew has responded by withdrawing from public life, obediently following all requirements imposed on him, and frankly admitting the damage he caused to the monarchy.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, on the other hand, have engaged in highly publicized disagreements with the royal family. Some observers have interpreted their blunt criticisms, accusations, and disclosure of personal information about the royal family’s inner workings as deliberate attempts to damage Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall’s reputations.
Prince Harry and Prince Andrew (Credits: Getty Images)
According to an insider, “Harry and Meghan deliberately set out to cause as much damage to Charles and Camilla to sell books and TV shows.” This perception of intentionality in their actions has contributed significantly to the divergence in how they are viewed compared to Prince Andrew.
From King Charles’ perspective, the distinction between Prince Andrew and Prince Harry hinges on the intentionality of their actions. While Prince Andrew’s transgressions are seen as unintentional, marked by his subsequent withdrawal from the public eye and expressions of remorse, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public pronouncements and actions have been regarded as purposeful and injurious to the royal family.
A confidant of King Charles succinctly highlighted this difference by posing a rhetorical question: “If you were Charles, would you rather have a problem that resembles Harry and Meghan or one that resembles Andrew?”
In an effort to underscore his standpoint, King Charles has gone as far as to reclassify Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In 2022, following their decision to step away from their roles as senior working royals, he shifted them from the category of “non-working royals” to the designation of “others,” placing them alongside his brother, Prince Andrew.
In King Charles’ view, the differential treatment of Prince Andrew and Prince Harry essentially comes down to the perception of intentionality in their actions. While Prince Andrew’s actions were perceived as unintentional, with his subsequent withdrawal from public life and expressions of remorse, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public statements and actions have been seen as deliberate and detrimental to the royal family. This distinction significantly influenced King Charles’ response to the two situations within his family.
