Queen Elizabeth II wouldn't have done one thing in Andrew saga, expert claims

King Charles has formally stripped his brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of all his royal titles this week, as well as evicting him from his Royal Lodge home. The monarch, 76, is believed to want Andrew to be completely out of the royal fold, with the former prince having been a distraction to the work of the monarchy.

However, while King Charles may not have batted an eyelid at making such a strong decision, one royal expert believes it is something the late Queen Elizabeth II couldn't have done. This is because of her closeness to Andrew, who was reportedly her "favourite child".

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, royal commentator Afua Hagan said King Charles did the "right thing" by formally taking Andrew's titles.

She also said it is a "shame" the late Queen herself did not do this during her reign when scandals surrounding Andrew and his previous friendship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein first emerged.

Andrew has always denied any accusations against him.

Hagan said: "I don't think the late Queen would have done it because we've been talking about Epstein and Andrew for 20 years.

"She definitely could have done something before now but Andrew was her favourite so she just absolutely did not want to do that, and also he has now become the King's problem."

Hagan continued: "I don't think the late Queen would have made such a move, I think she had the opportunity to do that but didn't, which is a real shame."

Andrew has not been seen in public since Buckingham Palace's shock statement on Thursday.

It is believed he is continuing to keep a low profile at his Royal Lodge home, which he will be moving out of within the next few months.

He will be housed in a property on the King's private Sandringham estate instead.