Critics say the King’s decision to avoid the issue has turned his Christmas message into a missed moment of leadership
King Charles has reportedly fuelled public frustration after choosing not to address the controversy surrounding his disgraced brother, the former Duke of York Andrew.
In his Christmas speech, the King made no reference to Andrew or to the reputational damage the scandal has caused the House of Windsor. According to Radar Online, that silence has become the focus of growing criticism rather than the message itself.
The address marked Charles’s first Christmas speech since stripping Andrew of his remaining royal titles and privileges. The King has also worked behind the scenes to distance the monarchy from his younger brother following renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Critics argue the speech avoided the most pressing issue facing the monarchy at a crucial moment.
A senior royal insider said there had been a clear expectation that the King would at least acknowledge the crisis.
“By saying nothing, he has allowed the silence itself to become the story,” the source claimed.
The insider added that while the omission appeared deliberate, it carried risks. Charles has taken firm private action, effectively sidelining Andrew from public life, but many expected a public show of leadership as well.
“There was a widespread belief that the King would confront the issue directly during the most important address of the royal calendar,” the source said.
A former royal adviser echoed that view, saying the monarch has shown he can make tough decisions. However, they added that leadership also means addressing uncomfortable truths openly, and for many observers, that opportunity has now passed.
