The King’s decisive action against his brother sparks questions about how far he’ll go with the Sussexes.
King Charles’ latest move has stunned royal watchers and even members of his own family. After months of speculation about whether he would act against his disgraced brother, the King has officially stripped Andrew of his “Prince” title and begun proceedings to remove him from Royal Lodge. The decision marks one of the strongest steps taken by the monarch since his reign began.
The shake-up has reignited debate over Harry and Meghan’s future within the monarchy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long faced calls to lose their titles after their public criticism of the royal family. But experts say the King is unlikely to punish his younger son in the same way.
Royal commentator Nick Ede told Express.co.uk that such a move could “backfire,” noting that the couple “still hold a great deal of public affection, particularly among younger and international audiences.” He added that taking action against them now would appear “vindictive and reopen old wounds just as the monarchy seems to be finding its footing again.”
The contrast between Andrew and Harry is stark. While Andrew’s reputation collapsed following his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his legal settlement with Virginia Giuffre, Harry’s so-called “offences” amount to criticism of how he was treated by the royal household. The Duke’s complaints—about being labelled the “spare” and his father’s emotional distance—are personal rather than criminal.
Ede pointed out that Andrew’s downfall reflects “the consequence of actions,” while Harry and Meghan’s situation is rooted in “family grievances.” The Sussexes, now focused on charity work and building independent careers, continue to maintain a solid public following.
During his September visit to the UK, Harry even earned positive press for his charitable efforts, suggesting that his relationship with the British public may be softening. Given that, it would be both unfair and politically unwise for the King to treat Harry and Meghan the same way as Andrew.
