Fresh from his tone-deaf dismay at being forced to move into a tiny five-bedroom home comes the revelation that Prince Andrew is “furious” at his brother’s decision to “disrespect” him by banning him from wearing the floaties ceremonial velvet robes of the knightly Order of the Garter at the Coronation.
The brewing row, reported by The mirror, recalls the standoff between Andrew and the royals at the funeral of Prince Philip, when Andrew sought to wear his vice-admiral uniform, apparently even going so far as to have a new one made by his London tailor. He remains a Vice Admiral due to his service in the Royal Navy.
Andrew was stripped of his royal roles as the Virginia Giuffre affair unfolded, but retains some military associations, and is thus strictly entitled to wear the military uniform at official events.
However, the royal family, especially Charles, was not at all keen for him to do so. On the occasion of Philip’s funeral, the queen eventually stepped in and ordered all royal men to wear tail-covered dressing gowns to the ceremony.
During the Queen’s funeral, Andrew also wore a black suit, while his siblings all wore military uniforms.
Lucky Prince Andrew won’t actually be made homeless by King Charles
The latest row involves his position as a member of the Order of the Garter, an elite club of just 24 members, based on chivalric principles, nominated by the monarch. It includes former prime ministers, senior royals and other dignitaries.
Andrew, who paid a settlement to Giuffre but has denied remembering meeting her, was not expelled from the order by his mother. However, the Royals have tried not to highlight his continued membership. His attendance at Garter events has been problematic ever since – just last year he was pulled from a public procession of members at the last minute.
Garter members get to wear extravagant headdresses topped with ostrich feathers, ermine collars and flowing velvet robes at pantaloons on so-called “collar days” – important dates in the royal calendar (of which, of course, the Coronation is one).
Now, The mirror says Charles is considering telling Andrew to just wear a dark suit on his big day.
Their source said he had been “left completely in the dark” about his role and demanded the dress.
The royal insider said: “Andrew is furious. He’s already not playing a role and now he feels he’s being disrespected and dictated to over something he has every right to (wear).
Charles has reportedly chosen not to wear traditional silk stockings and breeches at his coronation, and will instead wear a military uniform.
The mirror said Buckingham Palace did not comment.
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