Some younger members of the Royal Family have at times upstaged their more dutiful brothers and sisters
It’s a tale of two halves that’s as old as the British monarchy itself; the eldest child is bound by duty and expectation, while their younger brothers and sisters – or so-called ‘spares’ – live with all the trappings of royal life without the weight of the crown. Some have a habit of overshadowing their older siblings thanks to their occasional outrageous behaviour. Here, we take a look at some of their exploits.
ROYAL DISGRACE
In recent years, Prince Andrew, who turns 63 on 19 February, has often dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons. His 1992 split from Sarah Ferguson may have contributed to the late Queen’s infamous ‘Annus horribilis’, but it was Andrew’s ill-advised friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that caused a furore. To the detriment of the Windsor family name, Andrew has shown up his brother, King Charles III, and his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on multiple occasions, subsequently losing his HRH and military titles.
CHEEKY ANTICS
While Prince George, nine, comes to terms with the magnitude of his birthright, his sister and brother will be free to fill their boots with the perks that come with royalty. And Prince Louis, four, has already proven he’s a cheeky chappie. Much like his Uncle Harry before him, the youngest member of the Cambridge brood has provided numerous golden photo opportunities. Louis’ antics during the Platinum Jubilee included shushing his mum and sticking his tongue out. He has certainly won the hearts of the nation, but could we have another unruly spare on our hands? Only time will tell!
HEADLINE-GRABBING BEHAVIOUR
Princess Diana once said, ‘Royal firstborns may get all the glory but second-borns enjoy more freedom.’ And while no one could argue that Prince Harry, now 38, has had an easy life after losing his mother aged 12, the young prince has had some wild moments. From dressing up as a Nazi to stripping off for a game of naked billiards in Vegas, how the prince chose to spend his time off from the military often raised eyebrows and headlines. These days, he is living in California with wife Meghan, 41, a
