Prince Andrew, the second son of the Queen and Prince Philip, has faced online backlash over the past two weeks since his interview with BBC presenter Emily Maitlis. Now even his brother seems to have turned against him as Prince Charles advised the Queen to axe Andrew’s royal duties in order to “protect the monarchy”. But how else has the royal feud between Andrew and his siblings been evident throughout the years?
A “distraught” Prince Andrew resigned from his royal duties on Wednesday amid fury following his interview with Emily Maitlis.
In a statement from the Duke of York, he said: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.
“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.
“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
READ MORE: Prince Andrew’s sex accuser set to testify to FBI
Prince Andrew feud: Why did Prince Andrew reject Prince Charles job? (Image: GETTY)
Prince Andrew feud: Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Princ Andrew (Image: GETTY)
Prince Charles, who was in New Zealand undertaking royal duties abroad, is said to have told the Queen to effectively fire Andrew.
According to the Evening Standard, the senior figure said: “This is not about personalities, this is about protecting the institution of the monarchy itself.”
A senior royal source told The Evening Standard: “Both Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales, despite being on the other side of the world, have been monitoring developments with increasing alarm.”
“This is not about personalities but about safeguarding the future of the institution of the monarchy itself.
“There could be only one conclusion…The Duke of York had to withdraw from the fray and from public life.
“It is very sad. Obviously, both the Queen and the prince love Andrew…but the health of the monarchy is too important to risk.”
Prince Andrew feud: Prince Charles in the Solomon Islands on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
This seemingly merciless move from the Prince of Wales appears to be just the latest action in a royal feud between Prince Andrew and his siblings.
For instance, according to a former royal aide, Prince Charles attempted to offer employment to his brother in 2001.
According to sources, when Prince Andrew left the Royal Navy in 2001, Charles offered his younger brother the chance to become his aide.
But Andrew turned down the chance to be the “one member of the family that Charles relied on”.
Instead of working for his brother, Prince Andrew chose to become an international trade emissary for the government, a position he was offered from Labour MP Peter Mandelson.
There is an age gap of 12 years between Charles and Andrew, and 10 years between Anne and Andrew.
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During the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, the Prince of Wales caused more friction with his brother when he presented the idea for a pared-back Royal Family.
In 2012, the landmark Buckingham Palace included just the Queen, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, his children and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
This meant the families of Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew were excluded.
While Anne and Edward were said to be “understanding” of the decision, Andrew was believed to be “particularly upset”.
Prince Andrew feud: Princess Anne is the only daughter of the Queen and Prince Philip (Image: GETTY)
Charles is said to be enraged by his brother’s now-notorious Newsnight interview.
The younger royal has broken an unwritten rule of the Royal Family, not t overshadow one another’s achievements.
Prince Charles is currently concluding a 12-day tour of India, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, a royal visit during which the heir apparent was planning to focus on environmental issues, which is a cause extremely close to his heart.
Last week, a Buckingham Palace source told the Mirror, Charles is planning to have “stern words” with Andrew upon his return.
Historian and biographer Robert Lacey told The Guardian: “ Prince Andrew has been de-royaled, if there is such a word.
“At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I really would compare it to 1936 and the abdication of Edward VIII.
“What we are talking about is effectively the removal of a member of the royal family as a result of public opinion.”