Why was Prince Andrew always regarded as the Queen's favourite child?

[SpaEnjoyer]

I remember that Andrew was often referred to as the Queen's favourite child when she was alive, and before he was managed out of public life for being such an embarrassment to the family. He wasn't her firstborn DC or even her first son. So why did she prefer him to all the others?

Actually I think the worst thing about whats happening to Louis ( well all the Wales children but especially him) is how they are already being characterised in the same way as their predecessors. Sometimes with the complicity of their parents- so we have shy, serious George the reluctant King in waiting, bound by duty to the Nation, feisty Charlotte, Princess Anne in the making and cheeky loud, naughty Louis. Hes not a toddler. Hes 7. He would have been packed off to boarding school at 8 a couple of generations before.The media are already inventing things about them and what they are going to be like as adults.

I agree. When is this going to stop?
it is absolutely barbaric

I hate hearing children talked about in this way and labelled for the rest of their lives

Yes I think I heard that on a bbc programme.

Well.... She did him a great disservice then didnt she?
Look at where we are now. He has been stripped of everything totally disgraced and no one wants to see his face

Maybe she should have thought of concentrating on her eldest son, a sensitive child who needed nurturing. Instead of giving in to Andrew all through her life

Thank you. No one has mentioned that for years but it used to be very prominent

It has been very prominent on these threads!

Some people don't think much of LHMQ's morals do they?

Yes. He's often referred to as being completely boorish and makes infantile jokes infront of guests.
Worse, he would leave his 'alone time' tissues strewn over the bed for the morning Staff to dispose of 🤢

'Alone time' 🤮🤮🤮

AN Wilson relates a story in which Andrew spends the day with the British ambassador on one of his trade envoy trips. There is a dinner in the evening, at which Andrew introduces himself to the ambassador as if he had never met him. Andrew's so uninterested in other people that they don't register with him as individuals. Presumably, that's also why 'I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady' (Virginia Guiffre) as she was one among hundreds.

When Charles and Anne were small she spent very little time with them. She lived in Malta with Prince Philip, while the children stayed in England. Then she became Queen with lots of overseas trips and all the other duties which her position involved.

By the time Andrew came along she was more settled in her role and was able to spend time with him. I think a lot of Charles’ issues stem from that early childhood experience. His Grandmother had a lot of the care of him and that was why they were so close.

I always have felt that Edward was treated a bit unfavourable by HMQ. She bought Anne an estate in Gloucestershire and paid for Andrew to build that horrible house in
Sunningdale. Edward wasn’t given anything. Why? I know we should feel sorry for someone who is paying a peppercorn rent on a mansion but it’s the difference in treatment which baffles me. Anyway, he who laughs last, laughs longest. Edward seems very content and has as a seemingly lovely family.

The bit that is being missed with the Peppercorn rent is he paid £8 million for the lease in the first place.

Yes, & that the peppercorn rent need only be paid if demanded!

Peppercorn rent is actually that a pepper corn that you'd buy in tesco.

Maybe he was a lovely little boy and only became a revolting prat when he grew up!

Let’s not forget how Ma Kray adored her two boys Reggie and Ronnie!

I think Andrew is the spit of Victoria, as is Beatrice.
Andrew’s features are very Hanoverian.

The nanny dubbed him 'Baby Grumpling' and E2 said 'he's not always a ray of sunshine' (IIRC possibly after he'd deliberately bollocked up the palace TV aerial so she missed the day's racing)

I think it's more than likely he was a pretty foul kid and never grew out of it.

8 milluon for a 75 year lease on a 30 room property doesnt seem like anywhere near ' market rates' to me. Especially not in Windsor!

I haven't heard about the paternity rumour but I have heard of the Queen and Porchie being, ahem..."very close" 😉

Well someone must have agreed the figure however many years ago.
Along with the peppercorn rent if requested.

I always have felt that Edward was treated a bit unfavourable by HMQ

Edward has a 120 room (120 room!) pile with 'rent' more than adequately covered should he manage to sub-let the rather indifferent looking office space situated in the stable block.

Like all of 'em he's sitting sweet.

It's been calculated as the equivalent of £250 a week over the duration of the lease.

Bent rent seems to be the royal norm.

Isn't it widely known that the Queen barely got a chance to parent the older two, and often went on long tours etc. So when Andrew came along it was a second chance to actually be a hands-on parent. I suspect Charles was treated somewhat coldy, as was expected at the time, and Andrew did get treated like the favourite. He's still a cock though.

Lol thats almost what Ill be paying for DS's student digs!

Yes this is the problem with the whole system. Behind it all is always some forelock tugging lackey who is meant to represent us and curb the power of an unelected Head of State ( Prime Ministers, MP's etc) but somehow ends up doung everything they ask, making them richer to our detriment.