Andrew has received yet another significant blow, a stark reminder of his complete fall from grace. The former prince is at his lowest ebb as he faces investigations for alleged misconduct in public office and sexual misconduct.
Andrew's Exclusion from Garter Day
In past years, Andrew reveled in major royal occasions, often whispering a word in the ear of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, those days are now far behind. King Charles has reportedly banned Andrew from Royal Garter events, a source told The Express. This weekend has been described as “really hard” for Andrew, who was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, later released under investigation, and is now also being investigated over alleged sexual misconduct. He denies all wrongdoing.
The source added: “He’s become used to watching his family celebrate Trooping without him, but Garter Day will be a really tough day for him. It’s one of those days that reminds him of all that he’s lost. He’s feeling more isolated than ever; he’s completely alone.”
The Order of the Garter
The Order of the Garter, an order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348, is celebrated with a procession and service in the grounds of Windsor Castle every year. Attendees wear distinctive feathered caps. The order today includes the King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, several senior Members of the Royal Family, and twenty-four knights. Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the monarch to honor those who have held public office, contributed to national life, or served the Sovereign personally.
This makes it all the more personal that the King has chosen not to include Andrew, who is surely at his lowest ever ebb. It is reported that Garter Day has long been a day Andrew has held dear, and it proved to be a reminder of his status, even after he was stripped of his HRH title and forced to step down as a senior working royal in 2019. Even though he has kept away from the public aspects of the occasion for the past four years, he was included in the investiture and private lunch. Now he won’t do anything.
Surely this suggests that there is no way back for the former prince, after a fall from grace from a war hero following the Falklands War, to someone no one—not even his older brother—wants to appear with in public.
