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Find out exactly how Markle and her husband could impact Andrew’s fate. And discover why Prince Andrew has come under so much scrutiny recently below.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Impact Prince Andrew’s Fate?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry created a precedent for the royal family when they quit their duties as senior royals. Since then, the Duchess of Sussex and Duke of Sussex first headed to Canada before settling in California. But the couple’s actions and Palace’s response could play a major role in Prince Andrew’s future, claims a royal family expert quoted by Geo TV.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes that Harry and Meghan “hold the key” to Andrew’s fate. And that analysis stems from Queen Elizabeth’s precedent established for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Fitzwilliams points out that the Queen may view Andrew in the same way as she did Harry and Meghan.
If Andrew follows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lead in stepping down from all royal family duties, Queen Elizabeth could make exactly the same response, notes the royal expert. “If he’s going to step down from all royal links permanently, as Meghan and Harry have, then you look at the situation where they kept the [title] HRH and didn’t use it,” pointed out Fitzwilliams.
Will Prince Andrew Face ‘Internal Exile’?
The royal family expert emphasizes that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “set the precedent in that sense. That may apply if [Prince Andrew] were to lose this case or were to be perceived to lose this case. What might happen to Andrew is a form of ‘internal exile’, where he might, for example, manage the royal estates or something similar,” suggested Fitzwilliams.
But beyond getting stripped of his titles, connections with charities, and links to the military, the royal family expert described a “worst-case scenario.” Should Andrew not win, “it might be agreed that he would keep his HRH but would not use it,” added the royal family expert.
At this point, Andrew’s ultimate fate is not known. However, the Daily Mail reported that Andrew allegedly “is trying to force through sale of his £17m Swiss ski chalet because Queen Elizabeth refuses to foot legal bills in Virginia Giuffre sex abuse case.” Andrew reportedly has sought money to pay his United States lawyers as they battle his case.
He and his former wife Sarah Ferguson originally purchased the upscale Verbier chalet in 2014 for £16.6 million. But he may need to sell it as the Queen reportedly continues to refuse to help with his legal fees. The anticipated costs and publicity reportedly could result in Andrew deciding to try to settle out of court.
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