Oh dear, this really is a messy situation, isn't it? I, too, believe that the real reason for the decision not to give royal roles to B and E is the actions of their mother - I have come to this view by 'looking at the situation from the other way round' : imagine if Sarah and Andrew had not divorced and that Sarah [and Andrew for that matter] had for the past 25 years carried out royal duties in the same manner that (say) Princess Anne has. If that had been the case, then I am sure that the Queen and Prince Charles would both see the virtue in letting the younger generation join in and help share the burden...
Dismantling the 'tripod' would appear to be hard - or at least difficult, but there again, in purely practical terms, Sarah has NOT been constantly at her daughters' sides for the last n years: she was not with them when they were at school and she certainly wasn't by their sides when they were at university [...imagine a professor about to begin his lecture, looking up and seeing Beatrice sitting there poised to take notes on the history of ideas, and then seeing that by her side was a grinning redhead!!
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If only Prince Andrew was more
sensitive to situations, rather than being so boorish. The matter of the dismantling of the Tripod could be solved so much more easily if he were to say: Fergie, old thing, you've been gadding about for the last quarter of a century. The girls adore you and know that you always mean well, but now it is time for them to spread their wings....they will, likely as not, be married in a few years' time and now seems an ideal time for them to start to find their royal feet and do a few duties by themselves. They will need - and always be grateful for - your encouragement and advice, but rather in the same way that Catherine and William will in due course be taking on more duties, the two girls will need to do this on their own: Catherine and William mostly do not have Charles and Camilla there out with them when they carry out royal duties, but no doubt they are 'back home', watching carefully with help and advice being available should it be needed by William and Catherine, and I therefore think that our two beloved daughters need to be able to enjoy this type of freedom as well...............
Which would solve things nicely. Which is why it is unfortunate that Andrew does not have the nous to think of this himself... Perhaps the Queen could think of stepping in? Without having any evidence to prove it, I get the feeling that AFTER the diamond jubilee, although I am sure that the Queen WILL NEVER ABDICATE, she might well start to think of handing back a few more duties to the younger generation, and if so, then this would be an ideal opportunity to call on B and E and therefore an opportunty for the Tripod situation to be tackled in a sensitive manner BY THE QUEEN. After all, if it is acceptable for Catherine and William to 'fly solo', Sarah can't really object, can she?
Only my thoughts, and not meant to offend,
Alex