Inside The Royal Family's Reported Tactics For Keeping Prince Andrew Behind Closed Doors

While Prince Andrew was able to settle his sexual abuse lawsuit out of court, according to CNN, the damage to his reputation had already been done. Back in January, the disgraced royal was stripped of his military titles following the court's decision to move forward with the civil suit that claimed Prince Andrew had allegedly sexually abused Virginia Giuffre when she was just 17 (via The New York Times). At the time, Buckingham Palace released a public statement regarding Prince Andrew's demotion to private citizenship, saying, "With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

Since then, Prince Andrew has been kept mostly out of the spotlight. However, he was expected to appear at the Service of Thanksgiving during the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend. However, according to the BBC, the prince revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be sitting out the event. Some speculated the announcement was "ironically timed," according to Twitter. However, what is clear is that Prince Andrew wants his royal title back (via Daily Mirror). 

A source close to the royal family has revealed that Prince Andrew is trying to make his way back in. According to The Telegraph, the source shared that Prince Andrew not only wants his military titles back and to be included in royal events, but he also would like his daughters to be considered working royals. As working royals, this would mean Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie would receive funds from the Sovereign Grant and would not have to work regular jobs (via Daily Express). The source also revealed, "Most importantly for him is his status as an HRH and 'Prince of the Blood' and he feels that should be reinstated and his position recognized and respected."

While Andrew would like to make a grand return to his royal status, it seems his brother and heir-to-the-throne, Prince Charles, wants to keep his brother "out of the line of sight," according to Page Six. A source revealed back in January, "Charles does not want Andrew to be photographed every other day looking happy and waving as he is driven to the castle." However, that's exactly what happened on Saturday. The Daily Mail reported that Andrew was spotted looking happy while riding his horse around. 

The photos of Prince Andrew happily riding around the Windsor Estate come just after it was reported that 80% of people in York want him to be stripped of his Duke of York title as well (via Daily Mail). It seems the royal family is caught in quite a pickle. Andrew wants to be given his royal title back, but his reputation is still very much tarnished. While royal experts, Jack Royston and Ingrid Seward, believe that "there is no way back for Prince Andrew to public life," according to the Daily Mail, Seward also believes that the family cannot completely cast him aside and there's a reason why. 

Just like the royal family is currently dealing with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle giving tell-all interviews and Prince Harry writing a memoir that could potentially reveal a lot of family secrets, Seward believes Prince Andrew "will be more trouble" if he's completely set free. "He will be more trouble and start talking and giving TV interviews and writing books," she said. This is why the royal expert believes Andrew will "be financially secure." Paying off Andrew and making sure he is "looked after" is reportedly the royal family's current tactic to keep him behind closed doors. Only time will tell if that tactic works.