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  "path": "/royal/royal-news-king-charles-monarchy-royal-family",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-23T23:02:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nSenior members of the Royal Family came together this week to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's centenary, a celebration that highlighted the enduring familial ties binding the institution together.\n\nThe commemorations on Tuesday brought working royals to the forefront, with King Charles and Queen Camilla leading emotional tributes across the capital and the close connections between family members were clearly visible.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe tone struck throughout the day's events appeared deliberately understated, allowing the focus to remain on remembering Queen Elizabeth II rather than grand displays of pageantry.\n\nThis approach reflected the late Queen's own preference for quiet dignity over ostentation, a quality her son has sought to maintain since ascending to the throne.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nRoyal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, speaking exclusively to GB News, emphasised the importance of the personal relationships between members of Royal Family: \"The bonds are very strong. The institution is a unique one; it is a special one, with a religious element to it.\"\n\nHe noted that though the monarchy remains one of the most scrutinised institutions globally, the intense public spotlight actually reinforces family unity.\n\nMr Fitzwilliams continued: \"It is in the most fierce public gaze. What you normally find is that you get a tremendous sense of family when everybody knows that every single thing they do is going to be analysed in the press.\n\nThe royal commentator stressed that support networks extend beyond professional advisers and palace staff.\n\nHe said: \"You need people to rely on and fall back on, not just courtiers whose job it is, but also your family, because you have grown up with them and you have shared the ups and downs.\n\n“This is at the heart of the Royal Family, especially given the ferocious pressure they are under. This is what binds them together, alongside the sense of duty, which the late Queen personified.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRobert Hardman, author of Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, reflected on the measured approach taken during Tuesday's commemorations.\n\nMr Hardman told GB News: \"Normally they come together at big state occasions or the birthday parade but this was a celebration.\n\n\"The way they did it, it wasn't triumphalism, it wasn't over the top, it was very much a family day of happy and proud reflection.\"\n\nKing Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to the British Museum, accompanied by the Prime Minister, to view the finalised design for the national memorial dedicated to the late Queen.\n\nThe visit concluded with a reception in the Great Hall, where the royal couple met representatives from organisations across the United Kingdom involved in bringing the memorial projects to completion.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEarlier that day, Buckingham Palace released an intimate address from the King, recorded at Balmoral Castle's Library in early April.\n\nThe Scottish residence held particular significance, given it was where Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days before passing away in September 2022.\n\nIn his speech, the King described the occasion as an opportunity for his family to \"reflect on the life and loss of a Sovereign who meant so much to us all and to celebrate anew the many blessings of her memory.\"\n\nHe fondly recalled \"that marvellous twinkle of the eye” in the final months of her life.\n\nThe Marble Hall at Buckingham Palace hosted a special reception where the King and Queen welcomed centenarians celebrating their own milestone birthdays alongside delegates from organisations the late monarch had supported, including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society and the Jockey Club.\n\nAn official photograph captured eleven working royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh.\n\nPrincess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra completed the gathering.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNotably absent was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, who has withdrawn from public life following his association with Jeffrey Epstein and subsequent removal of his remaining royal titles.\n\nHis exclusion reflected King Charles's long-held conviction that only working members of the monarchy should appear at official events.\n\nRobert Hardman explained to GB News that this approach of highlighting only those undertaking official duties has become an established pattern under the current reign.\n\nMr Hardman said: \"It has become a trend; it was one of the things the keen was very keen to do. Just focusing on the working royals.”\n\nHe added: \"There is no sense that Zara [Tindall], Peter [Phillips] and the rest are any less loved but they are private members of the private family. At official events, you are only going to see working royals. That is the slimmed-down monarchy.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe royal biographer also highlighted the delicate balance senior royals must maintain between institutional responsibilities and personal loyalties.\n\nMr Hardman said: \"For the monarch and the top of the family, there has always been this dual mindset. They are a family like any other family and they look after their own, but at the same time, the first loyalty is to the institution.\"\n\nThis month, it was revealed that some Royal Family members have been quietly supporting Andrew during his period of isolation.\n\nPrince Edward journeyed to the Sandringham Estate over the Easter weekend to check on his brother.\n\nThe Duke of Edinburgh brought his wife, Sophie, along for the visit to Wood Farm, where Andrew had been staying temporarily.\n\nThis marked the first time any member of the Royal Family had visited Andrew since his move to Norfolk.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAndrew was arrested on February 19, facing allegations of misconduct in public office relating to his former role as Britain's trade envoy.\n\nHe has consistently maintained his innocence and believes he will ultimately be cleared of any wrongdoing.\n\nLast year, King Charles demanded that his brother withdraw entirely from public life and relocate from Royal Lodge in Windsor to the Sandringham estate.\n\nPrince Edward took on the role of family mediator, attempting to bridge the gap between his brothers.\n\nAndrew has since moved to Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom Victorian property located approximately two miles from the main Sandringham House.\n\nHaving stood empty for roughly five years before Andrew's arrival, the property underwent significant renovation work, including new carpets, satellite television installation, high-speed internet connectivity and security fencing.\n\nPrincess Anne has also reportedly reached out to Andrew in recent weeks, prompted by concerns about his well-being following his arrest earlier this year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nRichard Fitzwilliams told GB News that support for Andrew extends beyond the visits that have been made public.\n\nHe said: \"We know Princess Anne took an interest in his welfare. We don't know who is reaching out over the telephone. Just the physical presence is one thing, but other members could be ringing him frequently.\"\n\nHowever, Mr Fitzwilliams noted the challenges Andrew presents when it comes to any public rehabilitation.\n\nThe royal commentator observed: \"The problem is that he does not appear capable of behaving publicly; when he has made a public appearance, it has done him harm.\"\n\nMr Hardman added regarding royals reaching out to the former Duke of York: \"Sophie and Edward are compassionate, Andrew is still blood and at the lowest point he has ever been.”\n\nHe also drew a comparison with the late Queen's approach to family difficulties: \"The late Queen was a Christian soul, and she had the capacity to, if not to forgive then at least understand people in difficult situations.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nRobert Hardman also addressed the situation facing Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who have been keeping a low profile amid their father's difficulties.\n\nMr Hardman told the People’s Channel: \"You have got to watch the optics, no one is blaming Beatrice and Eugenie for what their father has been up to, but nonetheless, the best thing for them is to keep a low profile.\n\n“We will see less of them in royal situations, as when they turn up at something, people will start asking questions.\n\n\"They have got their own families and their own lives. They both have houses on the royal estate, so they will probably want to keep their heads down.\"\n\nThe royal biographer explained to GB News why King Charles himself cannot offer similar support to his younger brother at present.\n\nMr Hardman said: \"At the moment, he can't due to legal jeopardy. Andrew is under police investigation and the King cannot have anything to do with Andrew while Andrew is subject to legal proceedings. He can't go near it.\"\n\nThis constitutional barrier means that while Edward, Sophie and Anne can provide support to the former Duke of York, the head of state must maintain complete separation from his sibling until the legal process reaches its conclusion.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Inside the relationships at the heart of the monarchy as King separating public and private family members"
}