ROYAL author Robert Hardman has said that the King could remove his brother Andrew from the line of succession if he is found to have committed an offence.
Asked how he thought the King had handled it, Hardman told GB News: “I think actually he’s not getting the credit that he deserves at this point, which he was getting just a few months ago, when he took that very extreme decision to strip Andrew of not just his honours, but all his titles, and kick him out of the house, and to take away his birthright, which was being born a prince.
“First time a prince of the UK has been, as it were, de-princed since the Duke of Cumberland was a traitor in the First World War, cousin of Queen Victoria, he was stripped. Whatever we may say about Andrew, he has not been proved to be a traitor, and yet that’s the treatment he got.
“So back then, the King was being saluted for firm, tough action. But I think in this day of social media, 24/7 news, we expect a running commentary from everybody, from our politicians, from business, from football clubs, and so we expect that from the monarchy. And it’s not an institution that’s geared up to offer running commentaries.
“It doesn’t work on that basis. And where do we go from here? The King can’t really now say anything. Obviously, he issued that statement.
“I think that was very timely, very immediate statement, no mention of the word brother. Just said the law will take its course. Appropriate action will happen.
“It was very clear that there’s going to be no special treatment. But beyond that, I cannot see anything he can do this side of legal process.
“However, when it’s all over, there are more things he can do, and I would expect him to do that, and one of them, I would say, would be to remove his brother from the line of succession.
“That’s what used to happen to members of the Royal Family who married members of the Roman Catholic faith. I see no reason why that shouldn’t apply to Andrew…”
