Royal insiders revisit hurtful move that deepened rift between brothers
Prince Andrew was reportedly left feeling deeply upset and insulted after King Charles made the decision to withdraw police protection for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, a move that continues to resurface as a defining moment in the ongoing royal rift.
Though the security changes date back to 2011, royal experts are now highlighting them as an early sign of the strained relationship between the two royal brothers.
Royal correspondent Jack Royston said the decision must have “really stung” for the Duke of York, who has always been fiercely protective of his daughters. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond echoed that sentiment, recalling, “I do remember him being very upset, affronted, insulted on behalf of his daughters by Charles’ decision.”
Commentator Baroness Ayesha Hazarika also weighed in, suggesting the decision was a clear signal to both Andrew and the wider public that relations within the royal family were cooling:
“That certainly sent a signal to Andrew—and it certainly sent a signal to the wider public that there was definitely a cooling in relations.”
The spotlight on Prince Andrew’s standing within the royal fold has intensified in recent years, particularly following King Charles’ coronation and Andrew’s withdrawal from public life amid ongoing controversies, including his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Most recently, Andrew was reportedly removed from the list of Counsellors of State—a formal role that allows senior royals to stand in for the monarch during official duties. The move further signaled his diminishing role within the monarchy.
As King Charles continues to streamline and modernize the royal household, the decisions affecting Andrew—and by extension, his daughters—have only added fuel to longstanding tensions behind Palace walls.
