Queen Elizabeth has four children, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. The longest reigning monarch in British history proved that even Royals have favoritism. So who is the Queen’s favorite grandchild? The answer may surprise you, but it makes a lot of sense.
Before anything else, it is worth noting that Queen Elizabeth loves all her grandchildren dearly. However, just like everyone else, she also has a favorite.
Being the future heir to the throne, many would think that Prince William is undoubtedly the Queen’s favorite grandchild. The Duke of Cambridge has time and time again proven his worth as the future King of England. However, that is exactly the reason why the father-of-three is not Queen Elizabeth’s favorite grandchild.
E! News royal correspondent Melanie Bromley said Prince William and Queen Elizabeth’s relationship is “half family and half business.” The Duke of Cambridge is being mentored by the Queen to be a good ruler as he is the second in line to the throne.
As for Prince Harry, he doesn’t have that pressure on him like his older brother. With that said, then Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Sussex have more of a grandmother and grandson bond. Therefore, it is believed that he is the Queen’s favorite grandson. The public has witnessed the two looking more relaxed when they’re together and have been photographed laughing and joking.
Just like having a favorite grandchild, the Queen also has a favorite child. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have four children. They welcomed their first born in 1948, Charles, Prince of Wales, followed by Anne, Princess Royal in 1949, then Prince Andrew, Duke of York in 1960, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex in 1964.
With Prince Charles as the reigning heir of the throne and Princess Anne as the only daughter, many would have guessed that the Queen favors one of them. Also, Prince Edward, being her youngest son, has an advantage.
But according to royal historian Piers Brendon, Queen Elizabeth’s favorite child is her third one, Prince Andrew. Journalist and broadcaster Jeremy Paxman said that it is because the Duke of York was an “action man.”
"Andy skipped university and went straight to naval college, which went down well with his naval officer father,” he said. “He completed the Marines Commando course, just to show he could, before qualifying as a helicopter pilot. Then, aged just 22, he fought in the Falklands."
Brendon said, "Prince Andrew is the Queen’s favorite son. He was heroic during the Falklands War – she has a soft spot for him."
