It would take a tortuously complicated scenario like that of the marvellous Ealing comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets, for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor now to ascend the seven steps to the throne. Though stripped of titles and home, he remains eighth in line. In the reduced luxury of his Sandringham pad, he may perhaps be reflecting ruefully on the fictional tale of Louis D’Ascoyne Mazzini, eventual 10th duke of Chalfont, and the latter’s serial murders of relations standing in line ahead of him to that title.
The British monarchy has not historically been averse to such extreme methods, judicial and extrajudicial, to dispose of troublesome senior relatives (not to mention, some would say, in its dealings with its colonial subjects).
Continue Reading on The Irish Times
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.