Prince Andrew’s Role in the British Royal Family May Be Changing & It’s Not What You’d Expect

With King Charles and Kate Middleton taking time off from their royal duties due to health concerns, the British Royal Family is as streamlined as ever right now. And while some working royals have continued their business as usual, Prince Andrew‘s position in the family seems to have changed.

In the royal family’s latest group appearance at the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George’s Chapel on Feb. 27, the King’s disgraced brother was front and center. As it turns out, with Prince William‘s cancelation just before the event, Andrew had no one to hide behind in the background (Charles’ go-to method of dealing with Andrew in recent events).

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Instead, the royal, who walked beside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, walked ahead of his family and smiled as wide as ever.

“Andrew would have been super happy,” a source told Page Six of the opportunity. “He loves all of this pomp. He may not be a working royal, but he’s always believed that he is a valid and important member of the royal family, and nothing has changed.”

News of Andrew’s feelings about his heightened royal status in the family comes at an interesting time for the royal. After all, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently suggested that he might be coming for the royal and his involvement with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In late February, signed HB 117, a bill that allows for the release of grand jury documents to the public including, of course, the 2006 Epstein case. “The public deserves to know who participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking,” said Governor Ron DeSantis at the signing, per ABC7 in Sarasota. “Nobody should be protected from facing justice due to their wealth or status, and those who harm children should be exposed and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

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Looks like Prince Andrew’s protagonist role won’t be going on for much longer.

Before you go, click here to see Princess Diana’s most scandalous royal moments.