King Charles III is set to lead the nation in remembrance this Sunday, putting the intense personal drama surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew, firmly to one side, according to a former royal aide.
Grant Harrold, who served as the King's butler at Highgrove House, has given an exclusive insight into how the monarch will navigate the solemn occasion amidst the ongoing fallout from the Andrew scandal.
A Firm Commitment to Tradition
Mr Harrold explained that the late Queen Elizabeth II instilled a "three-line whip" for Remembrance Sunday, making attendance non-negotiable for working royals. The day is treated with the utmost seriousness within the family, not least because many of its members have served in the Armed Forces.
He emphasised that King Charles, a man who "loves tradition", considers the appearance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall profoundly important. The royals' role as heads of the military further cements the deep significance of the event for the institution.
Putting Duty Before Drama
This year's ceremony arrives at a difficult time for the King, following his decision to strip Prince Andrew of his royal and military titles. The move came in response to renewed scrutiny of the Duke's association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following allegations in a memoir by the late Virginia Giuffre.
Despite the global media attention, Harrold believes the King will be entirely focused on the purpose of the day. "He's a professional, and he will just switch off from his personal dramas," Harrold stated. "This isn't about them, this is about respecting the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom."
An Unspoken Topic at the Royal Lunch
While the Royal Family traditionally hosts a lunch after the morning's service, the former butler suggests the subject of Andrew will be strictly off-limits for most attendees.
"Nobody is going to discuss it with the Royal Family on this occasion, it's not the right timing," Harrold commented. He indicated that only the King's closest relatives, such as Princess Anne or Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, might feel able to broach the topic, but even they would be unlikely to do so in a formal setting.
Prince Andrew, who served in the Royal Navy during the Falklands War, has been absent from Remembrance Sunday events since stepping back from royal duties. In addition to losing his titles, he is also expected to leave his 30-room home at Royal Lodge and move to a property on the Sandringham Estate, which is privately owned by the King.
