Communication expert Judi James said the statement shared by Buckingham Palace this week was very different from the one issued by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on October 17
King Charles has stripped his brother Andrew of all titles and honours(Image: AP)
King Charles has shown that he is “wrestling” Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s future “from his grasp” with the latest statement shared by Buckingham Palace, an expert has said.
Communication and body language expert Judi James last night’s statement was “uncompromising, firm and clear” and, unlike the one shared by Andrew earlier this month, it shows that the monarch is now deciding for his brother’s future. The Palace statement read: His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
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The disgraced royal will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor(Image: Getty Images)
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
The statement is in contrast with the one the Palace shared on behalf of Andrew two weeks ago, which read: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Judi drew a comparison between the two statements and said: “The wording of this statement is uncompromising, firm and clear. Unlike the previous statement that came from Andrew himself and which gave him a degree of control over things, making it sound as though it had been his choice to volunteer to step down, this statement’s specific choice of wording gives the impression that things are now being wrestled from his grasp.”
Andrew has been told to leave the Royal Lodge(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Judi also suggested that the tone of the Palace’s statement seemed different from the normal tone of the monarch, as he usually appears averse to confrontation. Judi suggested someone else “might have been involved” in the decision to strip Andrew of all titles.
Commenting on the tone of the statement, Judi said: “The tone of this statement is not one we generally associate with Charles, who tends to appear to be confrontation-averse and an emotional slow-burner. It will therefore probably spark speculation about who else might have been involved in making such a strong and uncompromising decision.”
It has also been claimed that the decision to strip Andrew of his honours and titles was influenced by the Queen’s concerns about his impact on her work with sex abuse victims. According to the Telegraph, Camilla was appalled by Andrew’s association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and felt the ongoing row was getting in the way of her public duties. Andrew strenuously denies the allegations against him. The Queen has supported survivors of sex attacks and domestic abuse for years.
The King stripped his younger brother of his Prince and Duke of York titles in a dramatic move on Thursday night and a statement from the Palace stressed both his and Camilla’s thoughts were with victims of abuse.
