রাজার জন্য শেষ খড় যার ভাইকে বিষ দেওয়া হয়েছিল
His expression reflected his usual defiance. “The ongoing allegations against me distract from the work of the King,” he said. “As I have always done, I have decided to put my duty to my family and my country first.” This permission to explain was a final concession from the King, who had been very reluctant to treat his younger brother harshly. Even so, the situation had become untenable. What had initially been an awkward sideshow for the monarchy had grown into much more. Prince Andrew’s presence outside Westminster Cathedral for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral had exposed the matter for all the world to see. Smiling and mingling, Andrew could not have looked more out of place; Prince William studiously avoided him. Prince Andrew (left) pictured with members of the Royal Family at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral in London last month. Credit: APoptics Royals aren’t everything, but they are nothing. If it had been any other scandal, Andrew might have weathered it. Indeed, he had endured several over the years. He had the quiet support of his mother, and the most serious allegations against him were never proven in court. Loading… But every headline and every poll ratcheted up the pressure on King Charles, whose public approval ratings were already in the basement. At first, palace sources looked back at what the late Queen Elizabeth would currently do. The Duke had withdrawn from social and business life, but he was still family; therefore, he was entitled to participate in family occasions. “He cannot be forbidden from going to church,” one source said recently, referring to the only place he was regularly seen in public with his family. The King and his aides then made it clear that they wanted him to leave Royal Lodge, his vast Windsor home, where evicting him had proved impossible. They publicly lost that battle when Andrew presented his watertight contract with the Crown Estate. There will be no Christmas parade for Andrew at Sandringham, no Order of the Garter, and a low profile at so-called “family” events, if there are any at all. Credit: PA Though constitutional experts have explained how the title of Duke of York, and even prince, could be revoked, the palace still hoped it would not need to. The King, whose cancer diagnosis and treatment had already impacted his reign so heavily, had other pressing priorities. Just days ago, he was said to still be “wavering” about what to do to “solve the Prince Andrew problem.” The Prince of Wales, without saying a word publicly, had made it clear that he was far more determined to take stronger action, should it ever fall to him. Now, finally, it wouldn’t need to: the King had respected. Or, more accurately, he had encouraged his brother to forfeit that respect. This will cause little grief within the family unit. Although the King disliked the process, he was reportedly pleased with the outcome. Prince William was consulted. For the former Duke of York, it is the end of the royal road. Or it should be. In practical terms, few tangible consequences will follow this decision. There’s no Christmas parade in Sandringham, no Order of the Garter, and a low profile at so-called “family” events. Loading… He has been living a quiet life in Windsor, cycling and spending time with his ex-wife, two daughters and young grandchildren. But it will sting a prince who enjoys his status and privileges and is proud to have served his country. His entry into history as one of only a few dukes whose titles have been disgraced and extinguished is not one the books will be keen to tell you. Even Edward VIII’s abdication, which was so scandalous at the time and so momentous for English history, was not quite as unseemly or long-lived by today’s standards. “How to solve a problem like Prince Andrew?” the King and his heir had been asking. He hopes their question has been answered once and for all. It has been decades in the making and personally painful for everyone involved. It is also a compromise: the title is not “removed,” it is relinquished. Prince Andrew, with his announcement, finally ticked off a key item from his brother’s to-do list. There is a sliver of savings in it, too. The Telegraph, London
প্রকাশিত: 2025-10-18 02:46:00
উৎস: www.smh.com.au
