Prince Andrew Disliked ‘Unfair Comparison’ With Brother Prince Charles: Always ‘Second Best’

Prince Andrew disliked the unfair comparison between him and his brother Prince Charles.

The Duke of York used to be compared to the Prince of Wales and he didn’t like it because he was always the “second best.” Andrew Morton discussed the details about how the two royals were being compared in his book “Andrew: The Playboy Prince.”

“Throughout his school career and beyond, inevitable and sometimes unfair comparisons have been made between Andrew and his elder brother,” Morton wrote.

“To Andrew’s obvious chagrin he found that whatever his achievements, be it in acting, swimming or sailing, Charles had done it first and usually done it better.”

Also, Prince Andrew often imitated his brother’s antics which earned him the nickname “Action Man Two” and he wasn’t fond of the said moniker.

Morton added that Prince Andrew was following Prince Charles’s footsteps and became another favorite during his Dartmouth days. However, when he first arrived in school, some “resented” him because he seemed “arrogant.” Meanwhile, Prince Charles was “remembered with tremendous affection.”

Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s relationship has often come under the strain over the years and it’s not always Prince Charles who won the battle. According to biographer Anthony Holden, there was a time when Prince Andrew’s dashing looks began to steal some of Prince Charles’ thunder and it wounded the heir apparent’s vanity that caused him to make “acid remarks” against his younger brother.

One time, Prince Charles reportedly said, “Ah, the one with Robert Redford looks?” when asked about his brother. Meanwhile, another royal biographer Gyles Brandreth suggested that Prince Charles’ jealousy was due to the fact that he missed out on the active military service while Prince Andrew won glory for his Falklands exploits.

In related news, Prince Andrew received an honor from Queen Elizabeth II that was deemed to be a “deliberate snub” to Prince Charles. In 2017, the Duke of York was appointed the new Colonel of the Regiment of the Grenadier Guards following Prince Philip’s resignation. This put Prince Andrew at the center of the most important events in the royal calendar.

Back in n2012, Prince Charles snubbed Prince Andrew and his family from appearing with him at the Buckingham balcony for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee year. The Prince of Wales reportedly wanted the royal family to be more “streamlined” when he reigns so he only invited his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, two sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and Kate Middleton.