Princess Anne was furious at King Charles and Prince Andrew over their role in the late Queen’s “worst mistake”, a royal author has claimed.
Omid Scobie’s new book Endgame was released today, which has been described as a “penetrative investigation” into the Royal Family.
In one passage, the author suggested that the Princess Royal and Prince Edward disapproved of Queen Elizabeth II “letting go” of her private secretary, Christopher Geidt.
Geidt was in the position between 2007 and 2017 and was replaced by Sir Edward Young, who later stepped down in May 2023.
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According to Scobie, Geidt “had long envisaged” plans to slim down the monarchy.
He was said to be instrumental in Queen Elizabeth II only having the direct line of senior working royals on the balcony during Trooping the Colour for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
This excluded the Duke of York, along with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Therefore, Prince Andrew “had his own issues” with the former private secretary.
Princess Anne was mentioned in Omid Scobie’s book
PA
Meanwhile, King Charles was rumoured to dislike Geidt due to his attempts to create a streamlined royal communications operation by bringing all households under one umbrella.
According to reports, the 75-year-old felt his power base was being undermined.
Scobie claimed Andrew later joined forces with his older brother to persuade Queen Elizabeth II to dismiss Geidt.
The former private secretary eventually stepped down from the position in July 2017.
Christopher Geidt stepped down from his position in 2017
PA
Prince Andrew was reportedly upset about 2012 Trooping The Colour balcony
PA
In Endgame, Scobie wrote: “The backroom manoeuvre irked Prince William, who thought the whole stunt reeked of unprofessionalism and personal grudges run amok.
“The press would later call this the result of a ‘Palace power struggle,’ the climax of increasing tensions between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
“Some, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, believe that letting Geidt go was the worst mistake of the Queen’s later years.”
