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 think it would be ok if Charlotte or Louis were gay - or basically anyone of their generation bar poor George. He will be expected to have a respectable marriage to a respectable woman to produce respectable heirs.

Agree with Andrew the issue would be the years of "deception" (for want of a better word). I can't imagine he'll ever be in a position to come out, if he is gay and wanted to do so. You'd like to imagine if a senior member were to come out in their 20s now it wouldn't be a big deal. Although, people...

I've never heard the rumour about Andrew. I've always wondered what Fergie has on the Royal Family. Then again, it's Fergie, she's been known to try and make money off the back of the Royal Family so could she keep it secret, I'm not so sure.

'Cocksman' is a word - i first heard it used apparently without irony by Germaine Greer of all people. I've never heard any woman referred to so approvingly as a 'Cuntswoman'.

There was all that stuff about Andrew going to parties where young women if not still girls were as well and it was all a bit dubious.

Tom Daley and husband Have biological children
And they got shit for it. Renting a woman as an incubator. Not making enough comments about their gratitude. Posting a picture of the two Dad's and baby as if she never existed.

Imagine the drama of the RF started "hiring wombs as though that is all women are good for in this day and age, thinking thry can just take what they want" etc.
I think it would only work if they never had kids and therefore it was very clear that Charlotte and her offsprings would take the throne, or even Charlotte stating that she wouldn't, she'd pass it straight on to Princess Moana

@SleepingStandingUp

I agree that is generally how I think it would go due to the various ethics factors and what would be a full on scrutiny of any surrogate for the rest of their lives.

Adoption is a problem in the RF due to inheritance and succession also.

But what nobody is factoring is what attitudes will change once the Queen and all of her children are gone

William and his generation live in a very different world with different attitudes

Homosexuality was illegal when Charles was born.

I used to believe that urban legend that the press were forbidden from printing that he was gay but now that we have the tinterweb, other countries could publicise it, if there were any truth in it.

@IcedPurple

Your not alone! I thought i was a RF geek and i have never heard that!

To be fair i was born in 1989 so i missed all the headlines......

I do think the Princes would be tolerant of a gay child than Queen E would have been, but I can't say the same for everyone out age (Willz is 6 months younger than me). In 20 years those people who still think it's disgusting etc will just be older. The ethics issue will never go away. At least is Charlotte had a Donor it's 2 minutes of fun and she still carries the baby.

Maybe one of the others will lead the way, James and Louise are the last of the Cousins to grow up but there also Peter's girls who aren't hugely far behind in age. A minor royal but still know would def break new ground

I don't know how the Royals would see it but I think the public today would, in general, respect people who come out as gay- but don't like someone living a double life for years and probably upsetting their wife and family. So if Andrew came out as gay they wouldn't approve but if one of the younger single royals did they would get a lot of support.

Not saying I think Andrew is gay this is just my theory on public opinion if he were.

Only one person's mentioned the Epstein connection that was all over the media a few years ago. I too agree there was a cover up there and that Andrew isn't gay.

What would stop foreign media reporting that Prince Andrew were gay, if he were?

Yep, I've heard from a close RF connection that allegedly it's not Edward that's gay.
Not that I care, i don't know them. Just think it must he hard living in the public eye but not really living your life.

I've always suspected that their current living situation was a way of having an 'open marriage'. As they aren't legally married, they can easily have their own partners in the eyes of the press and public. Most of the Navy seem to have loathed Andrew compared to the respect Charles and Anne got (Marine comment on Edward that they should have sent his sister instead as she'd have found the training easy) - I've never heard any other opinion of him other than he is an entitled, pompous bellend. He is friendly with some very dodgy people and I really wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that he was bi and/or into young girls re the Epstein case. In a way, I hope he does remarry her once his parents die as he is too far down the line now to need permission and it would give her a reward in consolidating her status as a family member. Apparently she is good friends with HM rather than the loathing she gets from Phillip which also makes you wonder how much HM does know, given that Andrew is said to be her favourite.

"a list of derogatory words for sexually active females off the top of my head, but I'd struggle to think of even one single such term specific to sexually active males."

There aren't as many, but there are a few. Player, womaniser, philanderer.
A few more online, though I didn't recognise most of these
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Thesaurus:promiscuous_man

I have an in-law who used to work closely with Andrew - and that was who told me that he was gay. Also - I quote - 'an utter shit'...

Yes seamstress, he's not universally loved. I wonder how he'll fare when Charles is king? I feel he may spend a lot more time in Switzerland.

I think there would have been stories in the press by now. He'd be mixing in gay circles, parties etc and someone would have sold their story to the media. Then again there haven't been stories about girlfriends either that I know about but that's not so sensational so if he's had girlfriends they're less likely to sell their story. The press must be asked to keep quiet about certain things for security reasons.

Perhaps keeping quiet about homosexuality is something to do with the Queen being head of the church of England. I don't know the church's stance on it.

Please come and join our Royal Style & gossip thread.

There’s lots of chat about clothes, to warn you, but we like lots of inside info on the royals and there appear to be some knowledgeable posters on this thread!

The vicar at our local C of E priory is openly gay and lives with his partner.

Andrew reminds me of my closeted uncle. The way he fussed over Eugenie is exactly the way my uncle fusses over my cousin.

This thread made me google Andrew and I came across the articles about the Queen's relationship with Lord Porterhouse and speculation that Andrew was conceived from an affair. The two men do look similar. I read that there were 3 cabinet meetings that year on the Royal Family and the contents were archived for 50 and 100 years - longer than usual. Not sure if any truth in any of it.

*Lord Porchester (not Porterhouse!)

Andrews daughters have a strong resemblance to their Linley cousins.