Prince Andrew's royal titles removed - but this might not be the end of the saga

PRINCE ANDREW GIVES UP ROYAL TITLES

This is a spectacular fall from grace for Prince Andrew, but The King has been left with no choice but to hit the nuke button.

The King’s brother has agreed to no longer use his Duke of York title, after a series of damaging scandals to the monarchy.

I understand The King is ‘glad’ and The Prince of Wales was ‘consulted’.

Reading between the lines, I suspect there have been some very intense discussions behind the scenes on: “How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew?”

Just last month, Prince William visibly blanked his disgraced uncle in front of TV camera at the funeral of The Duchess of Kent.

Mindful of the firm he will one day lead, perhaps Prince William’s role was more than just a ‘consulting’ one - although Kensington Palace would not be drawn further.

This may be an attempt by Buckingham Palace to get ahead of the story; Prince Andrew’s accuser’s memoir is published next week.

Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, accused Prince Andrew of having sex with her three times when she was underaged.

Prince Andrew has always denied the allegations made against him.

Although The King has done everything within his power to sanction the disgraced Prince, GB News’ live studio audience last night didn’t think that was enough.

In Patrick Christys’s show on Friday night, they called for Prince Andrew’s ‘Prince’ title to be removed, and for the Duke of York title to be legally removed - rather than simply becoming “inactive” like his HRH status - taken away following the disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019.

This would require an Act of Parliament - which would take up valuable Parliamentary time.

However, York’s MP Rachael Maskell says it’s time for a law to give The King power to strip titles.

She says 80 per cent of people living in York back removing Andrew’s Duke of York title, and says: “Our city stands for higher values.”

I suspect this isn’t quite the end of the Prince Andrew saga.

KING TO CONTINUE FULL DUTIES NEXT YEAR DESPITE CANCER BATTLE

The King is taking the unusual step to not go on a long-haul autumn international tour this year.

Instead, King Charles and Queen Camilla are travelling to the Vatican for a State Visit to the Holy See next week - a trip lasting just two days.

This is in stark contrast to last year; Their Majesties travelled half way around the world to Australia for a realm visit, and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The trip in October 2024 lasted a full nine days, followed by a private visit to India for a restful holiday.

King Charles still undergoes a weekly cycle of cancer treatment in London, and last year royal doctors gave him special permission to temporarily pause his treatment so he could travel.

Sources insist The King has carried out a full programme of national and international duties this year, and I understand staff have been working flat out to keep up with His Majesty's pace and strong work ethic.

But, what about next year?

King Charles' team appear confident that he can carry out a full programme of public duties at home and abroad in 2026, despite continuing cancer treatment.

It is possible adaptions will be made, but it is unclear if His Majesty plans to carry out any more long haul trips.

In May 2025, The King travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada, but that trip also lasted just two days.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment further on King Charles' health.

Afterall, the 76 year-old monarch shows no signs of retiring or slowing down.

RACING THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES THROUGH A FIELD IN NORTHERN IRELAND

On Tuesday, I travelled with The Prince and Princess of Wales to Northern Ireland for an unannounced visit.

Prince William and Catherine wanted to spotlight innovation, investment and growth in rural communities - dressed for a day out in the country.

Whilst Their Royal Highnesses visited Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's brand new training facility (one of only two venues in the world with a special flood simulator) I travelled to Mallon Farm - which is attempting to bring back a great British industry.

Linen was once Northern Ireland's biggest export, but cotton and cheap synthetic fabrics from abroad took over.

Now, Helen Keys MBE and Charlie Mallon are growing flax on their farm again - which is used to make linen.

Mallon Farm was a dairy farm for generations, but Helen and Charlie switched to flax in 2020.

When The Prince and Princess arrived, we strolled through fields, and down a steep muddy hill, to a field used to grow the flax.

I regretted not changing into wellies, as I scurried down the slippery hill to keep ahead of the royal couple - who walk very quickly.

Prince William was particularly interested in the farming aspect. He asked Helen and Charlie how they could be supported to scale and expand the industry in Northern Ireland.

The Princess, meanwhile, was particularly animated about the British fashion industry using home grown linen.

The future King and Queen met Amy and Joel Anderson, who run Kindred of Ireland - producers of linen clothing "with heritage and heart."

They showed the royals items of clothing made from linen, and discussed how consumers are becoming more interested in how their clothes are made.

I heard Catherine eagerly talk about her ancestors, who were the owners of the woollen manufacturer and merchant, William Lupton & Co, which was based in Leeds.

After they left, Amy Keys said their visit was important as it “shines a light” on their attempts to develop a sustainable linen industry in Northern Ireland.“

It gives credibility to what were doing, it shines a light on it, so other people will notice what we’re doing."“If in five years’ time there’s lots of other farms doing the same thing as we’re doing, we’ll feel we are a success."

KING PRAISES RESILIENCE OF FARMERS

On Thursday, Westminster Abbey smelt like an enormous bakery - enticing us in with succulent fresh bread.

The piles of loaves around the Great West Door was part of the display for the National Harvest Festival Service, which was attended by Queen Camilla.

The King did not attend, but did include a message in the Order of Service which he praised the "resolve and resilience" of farmers "through the challenges of our changing climate."

Farmers of different generations, from across the country, were invited to form part of the congregation.

British farmers face challenges including rising costs of fuel, fertilizer and energy.

Unpredictable extreme weather, and the loss of subsidies from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), is having a significant impact.
On top of that, Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to introduce a 20% inheritance tax on estates worth more than £1m - which could significantly affect family farms.

Farmin Minister Dame Angela Eagle told Farming Today: "Remember that three-quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all while the remaining quarter will pay half of the inheritance tax that most people pay. I’m afraid there aren’t going to be any changes with respect to the announcements that were made previously about inheritance tax in this instance.”

King Charles, of course, remains politically neutral.

His Majesty wrote: "It is a time of year to give thanks to the custodians of our land in a tradition that stretches back centuries, yet remains ever relevant.""

Their labour is the foundation of our food production, the heartbeat of rural communities and vital to the protection of the natural landscapes we all treasure so dearly."

"The particular resolve and resilience they have demonstrated through the challenges of our changing climate in recent years deserves our utmost admiration and gratitude – particularly in a year in which the weather has made growing anything so very difficult."

"Our hearts go out to those who are struggling especially, as winter approaches, those with livestock."

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