Queen gave Andrew blessing to use HRH title ‘in a private capacity’
‘She was always in his corner and he had her ear, of that there was never any doubt’
THE late Queen gave the Duke of York her blessing to use his HRH title, The Sunday Telegraph understands.
Prince Andrew was permitted to use the title “in a private capacity” after it was announced that his military titles and royal patronages would be returned to the monarch at the height of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
He is now said to be determined to resurrect the privilege after the King allowed him to start pursuing certain business interests. The Duke has long considered himself hard done by for being effectively sacked as a working royal over his perceived misdemeanours, despite having not been found guilty of any crime.
Throughout the Epstein scandal and ensuing civil court case, when he stood accused of raping and sexually abusing a teenager on three separate occasions, the late Queen proved one of her youngest son’s most loyal and unwavering supporters. The Duke is said to have asked her if he could use his HRH title and, after many tête-à-têtes at Windsor Castle, she conceded.
“She was always in his corner and he had her ear, of that there was never any doubt,” a source said. “He was not stripped of the title and was still able to use it privately. He talked her around and she agreed.”
The prospect was not welcomed by palace aides, aware that any use of the title would raise eyebrows, not least after the Duke had paid millions to settle the case out of court and was meant to be keeping a low profile. He was not afforded the opportunity to use the title before his mother died.
His future now rests in the hands of the King, with whom he has a very different relationship. While personally supportive of his younger brother, Charles may be unlikely to back such a move, not least one that might indicate a return to the royal fold or risk jeopardising the reputation of the monarchy. He is reportedly warming to the idea of allowing his brother to use the title again, something he has previously denied, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The King has held talks with the Duke, 62, in recent weeks, aware that his ostracism posed a problem that was going nowhere. He is said to have agreed to allow him to pursue some business interests, which would keep him occupied and let him make some money.
An olive branch was also extended at Christmas, when he was allowed to join the Royal family on the traditional walk to church at Sandringham, a move considered a gentle test of public opinion.
Prince Andrew continues to argue that he should be allowed to use the HRH title with which he was born. Although he accepted that he will never again undertake royal duties, he remains a Royal Knight of the Garter and had hoped to appear at last year’s Order of the Garter ceremony before an intervention from the King and the Prince of Wales.
Before his mother died, he had been lobbying the monarch for his status to be restored and wanted to be included at royal and state events.
The Duke vigorously defended himself against the sexual abuse civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, his accuser.
Last January, Buckingham Palace announced that he had been stripped of his military titles and had agreed to no longer use his HRH title in any official capacity. Weeks later, he settled the civil case out of court with a $12 million (£10million) payment to Ms Giuffre. The Duke vigorously defended himself against the sexual abuse civil case brought by Ms Giuffre, his accuser.
Buckingham Palace declined comment yesterday.