Prince Andrew, the “Fallen Prince,” is reportedly defying King Charles’ orders by keeping up royal formalities behind closed doors. Despite public moves to scale back his status, the Duke of York still expects staff at his Windsor home to treat him as a full royal, even after King Charles III removed his official roles and retired his HRH styling. Insiders note that Andrew is living inside “his own royal bubble,” refusing to let go of the old ways.
Prince Andrew is being ‘privately defiant’ about his royal title and more being taken away, says source
Rob Shuter exclusively reported on Substack that, despite King Charles’ orders, Prince Andrew continues to command as before. A longtime household insider told, “Nothing has changed inside Royal Lodge,” adding that “The butler still says Your Royal Highness, and the staff still bow.” Moreover, “Andrew’s made it clear — palace rules don’t apply inside his walls.”
Another insider claimed that the Duke believes the styling belongs to him, regardless of official directives, stating, “He insists it’s his birthright — not something the King can erase.”
Publicly, the palace has suggested that Andrew’s honors and HRH status are no longer in use. Behind the gates, however, sources noted that his loyal aides are still upholding the old protocols, claiming that Andrew is “living in his own royal bubble.” A source summed it up, saying, “To the world, he’s a fallen prince — but in his home, he’s still the Duke.”
The divide between Andrew’s public image and his private expectations has grown since his controversial past and friendships removed him from front-line royal duties. While King Charles has made his stance clear, insiders say that it is ultimately Prince Andrew who sets the day-to-day tone at Royal Lodge, and his orders remain the same.
All in all, the message from the “Fallen Prince’s” household is that nothing inside has changed, even if everything outside has. Staff continue the old courtesies, Andrew insists on the old forms of address, and the King’s change in rules stops at Andrew’s door.
