Disgraced Prince Andrew was original ‘spare’ — but also Queen Elizabeth’s favorite: ‘Secrets’
nypost.comthe OG “spare” is actually Prince Andrew.A new A&E documentary, “Secrets of Prince Andrew,” has revealed why the scandal-ridden Duke of York has always been considered the late Queen Elizabeth’s “favorite” child as well as the original surplus prince.“We know from Prince Harry that the ‘spare’ creates an idea of resentment and jealousy,” British biographer Andrew Lownie said.“[Prince] Andrew was an accident waiting to happen for years.”The Post has reached out to reps at Buckingham Palace for comment.Andrew, 63, was always rumored to be the long-reigning monarch’s most loved and most treasured son, despite not being the firstborn.As the third child of the queen — who died in September 2022 at the age of 96 — and her late husband, Prince Philip, he was second in line to the throne at the time of his birth in 1960.“His birth was celebrated as he was the next male heir, despite [his sister Princess] Anne being [born] second,” journalist Dickie Arbiter said in the doc. “If [King] Charles died, then Andrew would be the one directly in line to succeed him.”He added that the queen had already settled into her life as a mother by the time Andrew came along, as she had given birth to Anne in 1950 and Charles just two years earlier.“Courtiers” author Valentine Low interjected and pointed out how she was an “indulgent” mother to Andrew, and with him, she could “sit back a bit” to enjoy motherhood. “She was a slightly absent mother to her older children,” Low said.” ‘I can read him bedtime stories,’ ” the writer noted of what the monarch allegedly said during Andrew’s childhood. “Charles’ future was ordained and this set up tensions between Andrew and Charles.
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