Prince Charles and Prince William's aides used Prince Andrew's Newsnight interview to orchestrate a 'silent coup' against Prince Harry by leaking rumours he would quit the royal family, new book claims
- Royal expert Nigel Cawthorne is author of Prince Andrew: Epstein and the Palace
- Claimed Charles-William faction of Palace wanted to slim down the monarchy
- Used Prince Andrew's disastrous BBC Newsnight interview as 'well-timed' leak
- Released news of Harry and Meghan 'quitting' royal life after secret discussions
Prince Charles and Prince William's factions within Buckingham Palace used Prince Andrew's disastrous Newsnight interview as cover to orchestrate a 'silent coup' against Prince Harry, a royal expert has claimed.
In November 2019 the Duke of York, 60, filmed the 'car crash' interview about his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which led to his effective retirement from public life.
Soon after the interview, rumours of Megxit began to circulate, with speculation that the couple could soon resign themselves from royal life following their struggles in the spotlight.
In his upcoming book Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace, author Nigel Cawthorne will claim that both heirs' teams at the palace saw the interview as an opportunity for a 'well-timed leak' to remove both Andrew and 'independently-minded' Harry.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but FEMAIL understands that some of the central claims in Cawthorne's forthcoming book are disputed.
Prince Charles and Prince William, pictured on Father's Day this year, orchestrated 'silent coup' against Prince Harry, a royal expert has claimed
Rumours the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured on Commonwealth Day this year, could soon resign themselves from royal life following their struggles in the spotlight began circulating last year
Cawthorne alleges the interview was the 'starting shot' in a bid to 'prune the unwieldy monarchy' and remove both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew by sharing news of Harry's plans to 'quit' royal life.
'The two heirs found common cause that the unwieldy monarchy has to pruned, starting with their independently-minded brothers Andrew and Harry.
'The starting shot was Andrew's BBC Newsnight interview. The Charles faction at the palace clearly saw that it created the opportunity of removing not only Andrew, but also Harry from royal engagements.
In November last year the Duke of York, 60, filmed the 'car crash' interview about his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein
'The first rumours of Harry "quitting" the royal family started circulating around the day of the interview, even before the backlash to Prince Andrew's performance.'
In January this year, it was announced that Prince Harry, and Meghan had made the dramatic decision to step down as senior royals and split their time between Britain and North America.
In their extraordinary statement, the Duke and Duchess said they wanted to 'carve out a progressive new role' and become financially independent.
Despite Buckingham Palace claiming at the time that discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at an early stage, Nigel said the couple had been planning their leave from the UK for 'months in secrecy'.
The royal expert called Harry's retirement from royal life 'irrevocable' and claimed that in the history of the monarchy, there had never been a 'more stunning' defenestration of Firm members.
In January it was announced that Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, made the dramatic decision to step down as senior royals and split their time between Britain and North America
He said: 'Harry and Meghan had been discussing their leaving the UK for months in secrecy, but the well-timed leak on the day of the interview would remove two senior princes from The Firm in one move as the headlines forced the palace to respond.
'Harry's retirement is irrevocable and it is unclear when Prince Andrew will return from his sabbatical. In the modern history of Buckingham Palace it was probably one of the most stunning silent coups. '
Earlier this month, Nigel claimed The Duke of York's downfall has been 'a long time coming' but was delayed due to the protection he has been given throughout his life thanks to being the Queen's favourite.
Nigel told how the Queen wrote to her cousin after his birth telling her that he was 'adorable' and was destined to be 'terribly spoilt'. Perhaps this is what led to his school peers at Gordonstoun branding him 'boastful' and 'big-headed'.
He added that while some found Andrew 'charming in person', when he took on his first official duties, he was 'gaffe prone with a callous disregard for the sensitivities of others' and was 'no better with employees'.
'The Charles-William faction at the palace is in seemingly unstoppable ascendant', said Nigel.
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