In a poll that ran from 9am on Thursday, March 31, to 10am on Friday, April 1, Express.co.uk asked: “Should the Queen take a backseat to Charles after the Prince Andrew decision?” A total of 5,739 people voted and hundreds of comments were left below the accompanying article.
Overall, voters were split as 50 percent (2,851 people) said “yes”, the Queen should take a backseat to Charles after she decided to be escorted by Andrew while 49 percent (2,819 people) said “no”, she should not.
A further one percent (69 people) said they did not know.
This poll came after the Queen gave her second-born son a prominent role at Prince Philip’s memorial service.
The decision to allow Andrew to attend was thought to reflect that the service was a family event.
This was the Duke of York’s first public appearance since his out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre.
Ms Giuffre had filed a lawsuit against the Duke, claiming he had sexually assaulted her three times when she was 17, back in 2001.
Andrew vehemently denies the accusation.
The pair came to an out-of-court settlement in which he agreed to pay a significant sum to both Ms Giuffre and her victims’ charity.
The thanksgiving service earlier this week was an opportunity for hundreds of family, friends, dignitaries and representatives of charities and organisations to pay tribute to Philip.
His funeral last year was a very small event due to pandemic restrictions, so the memorial was an opportunity for many more people to come together to mourn the passed prince and celebrate his life.
And username Dougie-Mac49 said: “Yes she should. Elizabeth has been a great asset to Great Britain.
“However, after her decision to put her second son front and centre… I would say that it is time for her to take a well-earned retirement.”
Username uktink wrote: “I hate to say it but the Queen has made a big mistake with Andrew.”
Username dnilly said: “I think this was a huge misstep for the Queen. Sadly I think it has damaged the monarchy.”
Others thought that the Queen’s decision was justified with username Birdmaniw commenting: “She had every right to have her second son by her side.”
Username BelleS said: “Her Majesty the Queen has served the people for 70 years. I trust her judgement.
“If she wants to have all her children alongside her to celebrate her husband and their father I say go for it.”
The Queen, 95, has previously expressed she has no plans to abdicate and celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year.
Username sensible lass wrote: “No, because to do so she would need to abdicate and she has already indicated its service for ALL of her life.”
And Username PhilCo58 said: “If she won’t abdicate, she should consider making Charles, Prince Regent, then she can just be the figurehead.”
The Queen’s health has forced her to withdraw from some royal duties and public engagements – with other senior royals already stepping up to support her.
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