Queen Elizabeth II reportedly had a deeply personal reason for showing patience and empathy toward both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, according to royal biographer Robert Hardman.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, Hardman explained that the late monarch’s leniency toward the two so-called “royal spares” stemmed from her own family history — and a lifetime of understanding what it means to live in the shadow of the crown.

A Lesson from Her Father and Sister

Elizabeth’s awareness of that struggle began early. Her father, King George VI, had never expected to be king. But when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936 to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, George suddenly inherited the throne — and the pressures that came with it.

Watching her father wrestle with the burden of unexpected duty, Hardman said, left a deep mark on the young princess. It gave her a lifelong sympathy for those whose paths were shaped by forces beyond their control.

Another influence was her relationship with her younger sister, Princess Margaret. Though adored by the public for her charm and glamour, Margaret was often described as unfulfilled — a woman who struggled to define herself apart from her proximity to power.

“All throughout Margaret’s life there was a sort of melancholy about her,” Hardman noted. “She could never really find her true role in life.”

That understanding, he believes, shaped Elizabeth’s attitude toward her own family’s “spares.”

“People ask, why was the Queen so long-suffering with Andrew or Harry?” Hardman said. “It’s because she saw her father live that role. She also felt great sympathy for her sister, Margaret. She had a great deal of compassion for anyone in that position. Prince Andrew couldn’t work out what he was for; Prince Harry felt the same. She cut them a lot of slack.”

Compassion and Its Consequences

That compassion, however, came with its complications. In recent years, Prince Andrew has faced intense scrutiny for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Public opinion has turned sharply against him, and earlier this year he announced he would stop using his royal title following renewed pressure from within the family.

According to reports, King Charles quietly supported his brother behind the scenes, allowing him to remain at Royal Lodge and make limited public appearances. Still, insiders believe Charles himself pushed Andrew to give up his title — a move described as being prompted by a “direct threat” from the King.

Prince William’s stance has been even firmer. The Prince of Wales is said to have a tense and distant relationship with his uncle and reportedly plans to take a more “ruthless” approach when he eventually becomes king. Sources told The Times that William intends to exclude Andrew from both public and private royal events, including state occasions and even his own future coronation.

While the late Queen’s empathy often softened the family’s internal divides, the next generation’s approach appears far less forgiving.