PRINCE Andrew’s last public performance was deemed a “catastrophic mistake” and he needs to go, a royal expert has said.
Tom Bower gave his devastating assessment of the Duke of York, 64, whilst appearing on The Sun’s popular Royal Exclusive programme.
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Asked by the paper’s royal editor, Matt Wilkinson, about the royal’s position, Bower described it as “terrible”.
He said: “He should be invisible.
“I blame the king for not being more authoritative in ordering Prince Andrew to stay out of public view.”
Bower added: “That front row at the memorial service was a catastrophic mistake – he put himself in the front.”
In February this year, the Duke of York was among several royals who attended St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the Thanksgiving service held in honor of the late King Constantine of Greece.
Andrew was seen beaming as he led the way in a rare public appearance as mourners arrived for the service.
Queen Camilla arrived separately, meaning the Duke of York stepped forward to introduce more minor royals, including Princess Anne, her daughter Zara and her husband Mike Tindall.
His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was by his side as they marched to St George’s Chapel.
Bower’s comments came after another royal expert claimed the monarch and the Duke of York have never been close and are very different people – with no end in sight to their feud.
Charles is reportedly threatening to sever ties with his younger brother over his failure to vacate Royal Lodge.
Andrew – often dubbed Elizabeth II’s favorite son – shares the home, on the grounds of Windsor Castle, with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and reportedly refuses to budge.
The shamed duke will never return to public service after paying millions to settle an abuse case with sex trafficking victim Jeffrey Epstein, and Charles has been trying to evict him from the 30-bedroom property for 18 months.
Since taking the throne, the King has sought to cut costs, including reducing the core of the Firm itself.
Charles and Andrew’s rivalry appears to mirror that of the king’s own sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: “The King undoubtedly has a problem, and the Royal Family has very, very clearly, extremely serious and embarrassing perpetual problems with Prince Andrew.”
He said that the differences between the two brothers, however, were striking throughout their lives.
“They seem to have remained completely opposite, actually, in many ways,” he explained.
“Of course there is a 12-year age difference between King Charles and Prince Andrew,” he continued, adding that they “didn’t have much in common.”
“Charles is quite intellectual, serious, sensitive. Andrew is quite arrogant and extroverted.”
He pointed out that the brothers shared the feat of being “considered among the most desirable men on the planet” in their youth.
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