Royal commentator says the Duke of York often struggled compared with senior members of the family
Prince Andrew reportedly stood out among senior members of the royal family, though not for the reasons one might expect.
Royal commentator Robert Hardman has claimed that Andrew, the Duke of York, did not match the intelligence or communication skills displayed by other prominent royals.
Reflecting on years of covering royal tours and events, Hardman said several members of the family impressed him with their sharpness and ability to engage with people.
According to him, Prince Philip was particularly quick-witted and intellectually sharp, while King Charles also displayed a strong command of conversation.
Princess Anne was another royal who stood out, with Hardman describing her as energetic and highly capable during public engagements.
He also noted that Prince William and Harry were both naturally skilled at connecting with crowds, often managing to charm people and put them at ease during events.
However, Hardman suggested that Andrew struggled to show the same level of confidence and clarity when speaking publicly.
He claimed that during Andrew’s time serving as a trade envoy, the royal sometimes made awkward comments or remarks that created uncomfortable moments.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Hardman said Andrew occasionally “put his foot in it” during appearances, citing moments where he would make unexpected comments that left people puzzled.
One example he recalled was an incident at a telecommunications conference where Andrew reportedly asked, “What is Orange?”, referring to the well-known mobile network.
According to Hardman, moments like these contributed to the perception that Andrew did not demonstrate the same level of intelligence or articulation as some of his royal relatives.
