Royal experts say Palace blunder turned damage control into a bigger crisis
King Charles is facing criticism for what royal commentators are calling a serious mistake in his handling of Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his Duke of York title.
According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, the Palace’s decision to let Andrew issue the statement under his own name—rather than through an announcement from the King—was a major oversight. Speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, Lownie said, “It was a lost opportunity. The statement should have come from King Charles himself, showing he’d taken decisive action.”
Lownie, author of a new book about Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, described the Palace’s approach as “ridiculous,” adding that it created “a bigger crisis than it had been before.” He also accused Andrew of misleading the public by suggesting it was his own choice to step down from royal duties five years ago, when in reality “it had been forced upon him.”
Andrew announced on October 17 that he would be giving up his Duke of York title and several royal honours, including his Order of the Garter membership, citing discussions with King Charles and other family members. “We have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” the statement read.
However, reports suggest the move followed a tense ten-minute call in which the King personally ordered his brother to step down after consulting senior royals, including Prince William.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told Sky News that Andrew’s use of the word “we” in the statement signalled the immense pressure placed on him to “do the decent thing and fall on his sword.”
Critics say the Palace could have turned the episode into a moment of strong leadership for King Charles — but instead, by letting Andrew take centre stage, it reopened wounds the monarchy was trying to heal.
