Prince Andrew believed that despite the disgrace he brought to the Royal Family, he could return to his normal Royal duties. The Duke believed that he could ‘still be of value’ to the Royal Family. A source confirmed:
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Naïve as it may sound, he always had hopes of regaining his position as a senior Royal.
Brought to reality
However, MailOnline confirmed that in a meeting that happened between the two brothers – Charles and Andrew – before the Queen’s death, Andrew was told his return to public life as a Royal is over. He was left ‘blindsided’ by his brother’s remark.
The ‘emotional and fraught’ meeting left the people close to him concerned for his well-being. The source confirmed:
Until the face-to-face meeting with his brother, Andrew believed that there was a way back – that somehow, he could be rehabilitated and play a role in The Firm going forward.
He came out of the meeting shaken. He is still in shock. He is completely lost and very depressed.
Andrew was totally blindsided. He is utterly bereft. He always believed there was a way back.
Next Sunday, Andrew will also be absent from the Remembrance Day service at The Cenotaph because he has no part to perform as a non-working royal.
Charles’ word
Charles, who was still Prince of Wales then, made it clear that his return to being a ‘working’ royal wasn’t a possibility in the future. The source added:
At the meeting, Charles told him that he can go off and have a good life, a nice life, but that his public life as a Royal is at an end. He was told, “You have to accept this.’’
The Duke of York – who lost his HRH title in an official capacity – was comforted by his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Allegedly, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie had at least one meeting with the King to express their concerns about Prince Andrew. The daughters even pleaded for a ‘return’ for their father, however, their efforts were to no avail. Even Prince William and Queen Consort support his decision.
Source Used
Daily Mail: Prince Andrew was left 'bereft' and 'tearful' when Charles told him he would never return to Royal duties
