King Charles was spotted for the first time since his brother, Prince Andrew, announced he would step back from his remaining titles, following a series of scandals.
The monarch, 76, was pictured driving to Crathie Kirk for the Sunday service at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, the family’s Scottish estate.
He appeared solemn and tense, reflecting the pressure the royal family has faced over the past week.
Andrew Steps Back From Titles and Orders
On Friday, Prince Andrew revealed he would no longer be known as the Duke of York and was stepping down from the Order of the Garter, Britain’s most ancient order of chivalry.
Sources indicate the decision came after discussions with King Charles and other senior royals, including Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
The King reportedly spoke with Andrew by phone from Scotland and expressed relief at the resolution, saying, “Something had to be done.”
Andrew will also give up his role as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, but he will remain a prince, having been born the son of Queen Elizabeth II.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, will now be known as Sarah Ferguson but will continue living at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the couple has resided.
Family Relief and Public Reactions
The royal household reportedly felt a sense of relief that Andrew had finally “fallen on his sword” after years of controversy, despite already being stripped of his HRH title and public duties in 2022.
Royal experts suggest that when Prince William eventually becomes king, Andrew and Sarah may never appear at public royal events again.
The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Andrew of sexual misconduct, called his decision “vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere.”
They emphasized that this step represents a victory for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s network, reinforcing accountability for powerful figures.
The Epstein Revelations Continue to Haunt
Recent revelations have cast further shadows over Andrew.
Emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday show him contacting Epstein in 2011, contradicting his earlier claims of ceasing contact in 2010.
One email reads, “we are in this together” and “we’ll play more soon,” raising serious questions about his conduct and willingness to evade accountability.
Andrew has publicly denied sexual assault allegations but acknowledged that ongoing revelations about his connections with Epstein were a “distraction” from the royal family’s work.
He framed his decision to relinquish titles as a way to “put my duty to my family and country first.”
Titles in Abeyance, Royal Duties Preserved
Rather than being stripped outright, Andrew’s titles are now in “abeyance,” meaning they remain technically intact but inactive.
The King also took care to protect Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain HRHs and are unaffected by their father’s decision.
Andrew retains a 100-year tenancy at the Royal Lodge and cannot be forced to leave, though he has reportedly spent millions restoring the estate.
While he formally remains a Counsellor of State, non-working royals are not called to serve in this capacity, leaving the position effectively inactive.
A Difficult Chapter for the House of York
Andrew’s recent announcements come after a particularly humiliating week, including canceling an extravagant birthday party for Sarah Ferguson amid the scandal.
The decision also prevents him from attending royal family events, including Christmas at Sandringham, although his daughters are still welcome.
Royal observers note that relinquishing the Order of the Garter, an honour Andrew prized highly, represents a serious personal blow.
While the King could strip him of titles by law, he opted for a voluntary relinquishment to avoid parliamentary involvement and further public scrutiny.
The Broader Message
For the royal family, the hope is that Andrew’s step back will allow the monarchy to focus on its duties without ongoing distractions.
Meanwhile, advocates for survivors stress that this is a pivotal moment for justice and accountability, emphasizing that powerful figures must face consequences for their actions.