King Charles’ accession shuts the door ‘tighter than ever’ when it comes to potential return to duties for this close family member

King Charles III is reportedly sure that one close family member will 'never' be allowed back into the 'family business'...

King Charles’ accession shuts the door ‘tighter than ever’ for family member, seen here as he arrived for the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
(Image credit: Photo by Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

King Charles’ accession has reportedly shut the door “tighter than ever” when it comes to a potential return to duties for a close family member.  


Following Queen Elizabeth’s death at Balmoral on September 8, her eldest child succeeded her as King Charles III. This changed the royal line of succession and though King Charles’ coronation has yet to take place, in recent weeks speculation has arisen over possible changes he might wish to make going forwards. Now it’s been claimed that King Charles’ accession has shut the door “tighter than ever” for his brother Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in November 2019 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Since then the Queen confirmed Prince Andrew had been stripped of his military honors and HRH title. 

As reported by Express.co.uk, Omid Scobie - author of biography Finding Freedom - has now suggested in his column for Yahoo! News that King Charles will “never” allow his brother to resume duties. 

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

“Without the soft spot of the Queen at his disposal – it was no secret that Andrew was her favorite child, the door is now shut tighter than ever for the prince,” he reportedly claimed. 

Omid is then said to have reflected that whilst King Charles supposedly has some “sympathy” for the Duke of York, he won’t be allowed near the “family business”.

The author is said to have alleged, “Though King Charles III has sympathy for his brother, I’m told, the newly-minted sovereign will 'never' allow him to set foot near the family business again.”

This comes a year after reports suggested that Prince Andrew had “no way back” to royal life as members of his family - including the then-Prince Charles and Prince William - apparently weren’t in favor of this. 

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

According to The Times in October 2021, a royal source claimed that, “There is no way in the world he’s ever coming back, the family will never let it happen.”

Meanwhile, a source said to be close to Prince William expressed their belief that Prince Andrew’s perceived “ungracious and ungrateful” attitude is seen as potentially “dangerous” by the future King.

“Any suggestion that there isn’t gratitude for the institution, anything that could lead anyone in the public to think that senior members of the royal family aren’t grateful for their position, [William believes] is really dangerous,” the source alleged at the time.

King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Harry, Duke of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II

(Image credit: Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Now Omid Scobie has suggested that His Majesty isn’t looking to have the Duke of York return to royal duties and that he will “never” resume them. Since stepping back, Prince Andrew has rarely been glimpsed in public and was most recently seen alongside his close and extended family as they paid their respects at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on September 19. 

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Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!