To think if Andrew had been caught cheating instead of Fergie...

[CoughLaughFart]

...they would have worked it out and still be married?

Speculation about them remarrying has been in the papers again today. I don’t see it happening - but I can’t help thinking they sacrificed their marriage for the public image of the Royal Family. A Royal wife couldn’t be seen to get away with infidelity, even if the marriage was salvageable. However, had Andrew been papped sucking some tart’s toes instead of vice versa, I reckon Fergie would have been forced down the ‘dignified silence’ route - and perhaps the marriage would have survived as a result.

Obviously I know nothing about them personally, and the press picture could be very different to the reality. But I find it interesting to wonder if Fergie paid the price for being a woman and the ‘incomer’ - and indeed, if Andrew also effectively paid the price for his position and public image, whereas a layman might have worked to forgive his wife.

I knew someone who was the long-term gay partner of a man who was related to the royal family (but not famous). They had lots of posh invitations from the queen and went to royal parties. His gayness and gay relationship was fine, as long as it wasn't a tabloid scandal. Likewise for the queen's gay employees from what I've heard.

A lot of disastrous relationships / behaviours / events have befallen the RF's public image and the queen has brazened it all out. It's high time they could publicly embrace a family member simply being gay. No one would bat an eyelid surely.

It's high time they could publicly embrace a family member simply being gay. No one would bat an eyelid surely

A young unmarried member of the family - probably not. But an older one who had a high profile wedding and divorce, probably yes.

I think it would be Prince George’s génération before there was someone openly gay so close to the throne.
As mentioned upthread, it is unlikely that a biracial, divorced woman would be accepted as a future Queen for William. Kate was already considered controversial because her mother was born in a shock, horror council house.

I think William and Harry have shattered a few glass ceilings to pave the way for the next generation.

If he were to come out now, the story would be less about the fact, and more about how old fashioned and uptight the royals are. So they wouldn't look good regardless. I think it will take for one of the younger ones to come out, and then they'll be at pains to show how fine they are with it.

How could they possibly be ousted? They are in charge of all the armed forces
The queen is head of the armed forces, but in name only. The armed forces do not take any direction from her whatsoever. If the monarchy were to cease tomorrow they’d get by absolutely fine without them. .

Those bloody unearned medals they all wear are an absolute joke too.

I heard, from someone who is friends with someone who is terribly well connected, that their marriage dissolved after Andrew was diagnosed with a nasty virus contracted in the Navy. And, now, of course, anti-virals mean people can live normal lives. So, the couple never fell out, which is why they were always on good terms and continue to live together.

Usual "allegedly" caveat, as per all friend-of-the-friend stories.

I’ve used the word tart to describe a man. So not just for women.

And I thought it was well known that Andrew was the gay one. Just not openly gay

It would have been scadalous if he had come out as gay in the 80,s times have changed considerably though .

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria I've heard that story too. Also, a friend of a friend is a former protection officer and apparently said one of HM's children is gay, "but not the one everyone thinks".

Still, it's sad if it's true and he can't come out.

I met him in 1992 and everyone laughed when I raised the possibility.

At the end of the day, even if Prince Andrew is gay he doesn't have to come out if he doesn't want to. Everyone is entitled to their privacy and it's a personal matter.

That's v true fred, I wouldn't want anyone who's gay to be outed for the sake of it, it should be up to them.

Still, it's sad if it's true and he can't come out.

Sad for the wife too. He could have stood his ground and refused to marry (but wouldn’t want to give up his privilege ) A family riddled with prejudices, bigotry and racism. Yet we treat them with such reverence and servility.

I understand the princesses spend every Christmas with their father and his family. No taking turns to see your children opening their presents on Christmas morning. Cruel, no matter what effrontery from their mother.

Plenty of blokes get married knowing they are gay and the wife turns a blind eye if she’s taken care of. Whether Fergie is taken care of is another matter.

Gay or straight, who gives a damn? By accounts from people I know who have had to deal with him at work, he’s a complete and utter self-important, pompous and ignorant bellend.

I suspect she married him as a beard, they produced offspring as expected, and they lived quiet lives doing what they needed to somassuming he's gay he had his 'friends' and she had hers. Unfortunately she got caught and suspect thrown under the bus to save face and chopped out the family to the point she really struggled financially and otherwise - I suspect they're older now and less pushed around by the family moral curtain, and Andrew is doing the right thing by her
All a bit sad really if I'm right

By accounts from people I know who have had to deal with him at work, he’s a complete and utter self-important, pompous and ignorant bellend

I've been told exactly the same by a couple of friends who were briefly involved with him in different work situations. His behaviour on an occasion that one of them witnessed would have had him up in court if he hadn't had his privileged position.

@FlibbertyGiblets

You know the MN adage "it's an invitation not a summons"

I think, definitely historically anyway, Christmas with the Queen WAS a summons and both Diana and Fergie fell foul of that in divorce arrangements as they could never have Christmas due to it being by Royal Demand.

Since then, William approached HMQ when Kate had HG and asked permission to be excused from Christmas and they have skipped it twice since then.

Zara has also apparently seized the opportunity of the precedent set by William to share Christmas with the Tindalls

It seems as though had Charles or Andrew been brave enough or willing enough to advocate for their ex wives to be allowed their children every other Chrjstmas it could have happened, it seems like they were scared or the idea of challenging it was so alien to them that they never considered it.

@flumpybear I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happened and the royals' fury at Fergie was because she was caught cheating rather than the cheating itself

They never really separated. She still lives with him does she not? Nor were they ever really all that together. I thought the story went that their marriage was well known to be pretty open and they both swing in every direction, the divorce was to satisfy Prince Phillip and the press... and save face rather than admit total debauchery within the Royal family at the time?

The thing we plebs down here don't understand is that it's accepted in those circles that shagging around, within the right parameters - not the bloody servants for preference - is expected and nobody really cares much. What really gets under their skin though is us finding out about it and, horrors,that we might be talking about them over our cornflakes having read a bundle of revelations in the Sun. They are far more concerned about the scandal than the reality of it.

I think shagging the servants is fine - almost expected - so long as the royal women don't get pregnant by them.

Must admit I always thought Edward was gay. Quite a surprise to find out that it's Andrew(if it's true)