A Wife for Prince Andrew, Duke of York

[Moonmaiden23]

Prince Andrew even before his marriage was never taken seriously. He was Randy Andy the Playboy Prince. With the exception of the brief time he was regarded as a war hero after the Falklands conflict, he got little respect from press and public.

Sarah is the only person in his life besides his children who puts the guy on a pedestal. She might have been a bad wife and an even lousier Royal but she seems to worship him...I read that there are more photos of him in her rooms than of her children.

In return, he protects and cares for her.."enables" her if you will.

As unhealthy as it appears to outsiders, they seem to love and accept one another unconditionally.

I doubt that either will ever remarry or cut the other out of their lives. Sarah said recently that she and Andrew and their children are a unit who will always, always be there for one another. This "us against the world" siege mentality might be what prevents either of them moving on.

[Mermaid1962]

I remember when Prince Andrew sprayed photographers with paint--I think that it was in Los Angeles--in 1984. That sort of killed his post-1982 honeymoon with the public. Then his stocks went up again when he married Sarah, because the two of them seemed to be obviously in love. In fact, they literally clung to each other, being VERY affectionate during the Canadian tour in 1987. For quite a while, Sarah got the blame for their decisions such as leaving Beatrice behind in the UK during the 1988 tour of Australia and having their family photos in Hello! Andrew was pretty much out of sight during this time because he was in the Navy, which Sarah blamed for the failure of her marriage.

I think that it's a combination of factors that keeps them together. Perhaps Andrew feels responsible for Sarah because he wasn't around while she was trying to adapt to Palace life, and then because his salary wasn't very high when they divorced. Plus there's the fact that she's never publicly "dumped" him. It's almost like the separation and divorce was simply a legal thing and didn't happen emotionally.

I would be shocked if Andrew took up with another lady long-term and married her. He said in an interview that his regret was that he wasn't able to hold his marriage together like his parents did. So having failed once at marriage, I don't think he'd take another chance at it.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

As unhealthy as it appears to outsiders, they seem to love and accept one another unconditionally.

I doubt that either will ever either remarry or cut the other out of their lives. Sarah said recently that she and Andrew and their children are a unit who will always, always be there for one another. This "us against the world" siege mentality might be what prevents either of them moving on.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Mermaid1962

I remember when Prince Andrew sprayed photographers with paint--I think that it was in Los Angeles--in 1984. That sort of killed his post-1982 honeymoon with the public. Then his stocks went up again when he married Sarah, because the two of them seemed to be obviously in love. In fact, they literally clung to each other, being VERY affectionate during the Canadian tour in 1987. For quite a while, Sarah got the blame for their decisions such as leaving Beatrice behind in the UK during the 1988 tour of Australia and having their family photos in Hello! Andrew was pretty much out of sight during this time because he was in the Navy, which Sarah blamed for the failure of her marriage.

I think that it's a combination of factors that keeps them together. Perhaps Andrew feels responsible for Sarah because he wasn't around while she was trying to adapt to Palace life, and then because his salary wasn't very high when they divorced. Plus there's the fact that she's never publicly "dumped" him. It's almost like the separation and divorce was simply a legal thing and didn't happen emotionally.

I would be shocked if Andrew took up with another lady long-term and married her. He said in an interview that his regret was that he wasn't able to hold his marriage together like his parents did. So having failed once at marriage, I don't think he'd take another chance at it.

I see Andrew and Sarah as really close to being a de facto couple now rather than a legal one.

They are soulmates, know it but know that marriage isn't the way to go for them.

[NotAPretender]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Prince Andrew even before his marriage was never taken seriously. He was Randy Andy the Playboy Prince. With the exception of the brief time he was regarded as a war hero after the Falklands conflict, he got little respect from press and public.

Sarah is the only person in his life besides his children who puts the guy on a pedestal. She might have been a bad wife and an even lousier Royal but she seems to worship him...I read that there are more photos of him in her rooms than of her children.

In return, he protects and cares for her.."enables" her if you will.

As unhealthy as it appears to outsiders, they seem to love and accept one another unconditionally.

I doubt that either will ever either remarry or cut the other out of their lives. Sarah said recently that she and Andrew and their children are a unit who will always, always be there for one another. This "us against the world" siege mentality might be what prevents either of them moving on.

Wow. That's the most rational and sensible post I've seen on the "why" of this.

(I still sort of think they hold information on each other that could be explosive - but your post gives an alternate or additional rationale for why they don't release that on the other. And I still think it's codependency to an unhealthy level; I completely scorn the schmoopie theories.)

[rmay286]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

I see Andrew and Sarah as really close to being a de facto couple now rather than a legal one.

They are soulmates, know it but know that marriage isn't the way to go for them.

I think Andrew and Sarah are still sort of in "limbo" right now. As long as the girls live at Royal Lodge when school is out, they can say that they're living together as a family unit. But once even one of the girls marries, the family dynamic will change. Also, things will be different if/when Andrew stops working as trade ambassador - in the future, he may start to spend more time in England.

I think it's true that Andrew and Sarah know that marriage won't work and that Sarah isn't suited for royal life. I think there's more to it, though - I think it's easier for them to be friends than deal with the multiple reasons for their divorce, and it's also easier for them to stay officially single, instead of making a firm commitment to each other. At some point, though, they're going to have to deal with their situation. I don't see Andrew and Sarah living together 10 years from now and still claiming that it's temporary or just to keep the family together. I also, however, don't see Andrew and Sarah with other people 10 years from now. I think they're friends at the moment, and not a couple--but I don't think it will (or can) stay that way forever.

At some point, we may see something reminiscent of the Charles-Camilla situation during the late 1990s/early 2000s--where Andrew and Sarah are tacitly treated as a couple, even in the absence of any official change in their relationship.

[sliver_bic]

Originally Posted by rmay286

At some point, we may see something reminiscent of the Charles-Camilla situation during the late 1990s/early 2000s--where Andrew and Sarah are tacitly treated as a couple, even in the absence of any official change in their relationship.

I like where you're going with the Camilla comparison. If they can rehabilitate their images (which would take a while) it could be possible for them to get remarried or at least be "officially" together without the issues that come from such a relationship now.

[NotAPretender]

Originally Posted by sliver_bic

I like where you're going with the Camilla comparison. If they can rehabilitate their images (which would take a while) it could be possible for them to get remarried or at least be "officially" together without the issues that come from such a relationship now.

Eh - see - and this is where the difference lies - Sarah has been so steeped in greed that has been shown so nakedly. Camilla hasn't shown that level of lip smacking grabby-ness. It's take a hugely long time for Camilla to gain even a small level of acceptance, and that's only because she has: worked; hasn't mouthed off to the press; hasn't shown up loaded or fallen out of nightclubs at the early morning hours (who is still nightclubbing in their fifties? That's sad; ) and has, even if not as determinedly as The Princess Anne, fulfilled obligations. Huge contrast to Sarah. Sarah has never shown a willingness to apply herself to the job that is being a Royal: just a willingness to grasp its perks with both hands. I doubt that will go unremembered.

Unless she spends the next ten years actually doing what she should have been doing during the ten years that she was Royal: working and keeping her nose clean; I can't see her as the stuff of Royal wivery.

What she does NOW and over the next ten years will determine her future. I don't think she has the capacity to perform as a Royal wife even to a second son who will be sliding ever further down the succession lists. It's just not in her. She's been on the Royal scene for two and a half decades now, and is no closer to behaving as Royal wife material than she was in 1986.

A wife for Andrew? Sarah could be it - when Andrew ceases to be Royal and his obligations to the Firm are ended.

[Mermaid1962]

For the first couple of years that Sarah was a member of the BRF, she actually did well and was fairly popular. In fact, I remember a time when she was seen as a healthier, more "authentic" foil to Diana--who was becoming increasingly sophisticated in dress and make-up and getting more thin. It was around this time, as well, that the Waleses were beginning to look more stiff in public and serious rumours about their marriage were starting. Sarah and Andrew, at this time, were seen as the truly loving couple and the fun, relaxed couple. The first time I remember Sarah being seriously criticized was when she 1) didn't bring Beatrice with her to Australia, and 2) didn't come back to her baby when the official tour was over but instead followed her husband from port to port while he was on naval duty. Up to that point, she was seen as taking to royal duties like a "duck to water", being cheerful and kind during her appearances.

As for Andrew no longer being a Royal, that's not going to happen. Even if he retired from public life--which would be a shame at his comparatively young age and physical fitness--he would still be HRH The Prince Andrew The Duke of York.

Originally Posted by NotAPretender

It's just not in her. She's been on the Royal scene for two and a half decades now, and is no closer to behaving as Royal wife material than she was in 1986....A wife for Andrew? Sarah could be it - when Andrew ceases to be Royal and his obligations to the Firm are ended.

[Moonmaiden23]

The criticism of Sarah as a mother when Beatrice was a newborn angered and disgusted me because it was so unfair. It was Andrew's idea for Sarah to join him, and the woman was obviously desperate for some down time with the husband she never got to see. It was just another excuse for the Press, which had come disillusioned with her, to stick it to her.

I mean...just because Diana toted William along to Australia(she later admitted that this was NOT a good idea) it meant that all other Royal mothers were bad if they chose not to do the same??

The amazing thing is that Andrew and Sarah's children seem to be among the most well adjusted youngsters in the Gotha. Except for their dress sense, they are almost beyond reproach. They almost act like dowagers in fact, and unlike the Wales boys they have never embarrassed their parents or the Crown.

Sarah has her serious defects, but she deserves at least part of the credit for that.

[Mermaid1962]

Agreed. Sarah, the so-called "vulgar" one, was actually following royal practice; but she was criticized for it none-the-less.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

I mean...just because Diana toted William along to Australia(she later admitted that this was NOT a good idea) it meant that all other Royal mothers were bad if they chose not to do the same??

[NotAPretender]

Originally Posted by Mermaid1962

As for Andrew no longer being a Royal, that's not going to happen. Even if he retired from public life--which would be a shame at his comparatively young age and physical fitness--he would still be HRH The Prince Andrew The Duke of York.

Oh, Mermaid...I know that.

[Mermaid1962]

So your statement was tongue-in-cheek?

Originally Posted by NotAPretender

Oh, Mermaid...I know that.

[sliver_bic]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

They almost act like dowagers in fact, and unlike the Wales boys they have never embarrassed their parents or the Crown.

Dowagers? That's way over the top. While running around naked on a college campus or leaving the keys inside an expensive car isn't wearing a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress paty, it's still quite embarrassing.

Originally Posted by NotAPretender

A wife for Andrew? Sarah could be it - when Andrew ceases to be Royal and his obligations to the Firm are ended.

Maybe not wife, as I pointed out, maybe just officially his girlfriend/partner/sexy golfing buddy. Whatever you wanna call it.

[Zonk]

We don't need to start the comparisons between the York and Wales families.

Let's get back on topic.

[Russophile]

At this time, it seems that Prince Philip has put his foot down over this. I am wondering about King Charles and what he would say to it when that time comes.

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by Russophile

At this time, it seems that Prince Philip has put his foot down over this. I am wondering about King Charles and what he would say to it when that time comes.

The Queen probably could, if she wished, force Andrew to sever his ties with Sarah.
Unlike Charles, Andrew is financially dependent on her.
But it seems as if, at least so far, she is reluctant to take that step.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

The Queen probably could, if she wished, force Andrew to sever his ties with Sarah.
Unlike Charles, Andrew is financially dependent on her.
But it seems as if, at least so far, she is reluctant to take that step.

How could any loving mother force a beloved child to sever ties with the mother of that child's own children?

None that I know would do that.

[Moonmaiden23]

HM the Queen seems way too humane a person and compassionate as a parent and grandparent to put Prince Andrew in a position like that.

The Duchess of York is not the first member of the family to become a liability/embarrassment(remember Queen Elizabeth's uncle George Duke of Kent...rumored cocaine addict and openly bi-sexual? Or how about Uncle David and Aunt Wallis?!)

Sarah is not the first and she will not be the last, either.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

How could any loving mother force a beloved child to sever ties with the mother of that child's own children?

None that I know would do that.

I could see Eleanor of Aquitane doing it. She was a hell of a woman.

[Moonmaiden23]

Russophile, how right you are!

In fact, Fergie would be consigned to a dungeon by now with EOA as a mother-in-law....either that or MUCH worse!