In the most recent episode of “Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things,” royal biographer Robert Hardman delves into the reasons behind the late Queen’s leniency towards Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. The podcast, hosted by the Daily Mail, featured a special theme centered around the concept of “spares,” those in line to the throne but not destined to inherit it.

Hardman suggests that the Queen’s empathy for those not in direct line to the throne stemmed from her own experiences growing up. He explains that she had a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those who live in the shadow of a future monarch, largely due to observing her father’s struggles. King George VI, who was initially a spare himself, suddenly found the weight of the crown thrust upon him following his brother Edward VIII’s unexpected abdication.

This monumental decision by Edward VIII to leave the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorcée, dramatically altered the Queen’s life. Once living a content and carefree childhood, she was abruptly propelled into a life of considerable duty and expectation.

Furthermore, Hardman highlights that the Queen’s observations of Princess Margaret’s life also contributed to her understanding. Margaret’s visible struggles to carve out a meaningful role for herself resonated deeply with the Queen, shaping her compassionate stance towards the complexities faced by those not directly in line for the throne.

He added that watching Princess Margaret’s ‘melancholy’ and her struggle to find a ‘true role in life’ also shaped the Queen’s sensitivity to the difficulties of being a spare.

‘People ask, why was the Queen so long-suffering with Andrew or Harry?’ Hardman said.

On the latest episode of Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things , royal biographer Robert Hardman reveals why he thinks Andrew and Harry were ‘cut so much slack’ by the late Queen

The Queen’s biographer argued this sympathy emerged from childhood, watching her father King George VI (pictured) – himself a spare – struggle with the weight of the crown after his brother’s shock abdication

Hardman claimed Britain’s longest-serving monarch always held ‘great sympathy’ for the awkward position of those who grow up in the shadow of the future monarch

‘I think it’s because she saw the fact her father was a spare – and she also felt great sympathy for her sister, Margaret, who could never find her true role in life.

‘All throughout Margaret’s life, there was a sort of melancholy about her.

‘Then you have Prince Andrew, who can’t work out what he’s for. Prince Harry felt the same.

‘All the way through, the Queen cut them a lot of slack. She had a great deal of sympathy for those in that position.’

Andrew announced last week he would relinquish his Duke of York title following fresh allegations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Podcast co-host Kate Williams said that while she holds ‘no sympathy’ for Andrew, she does have some for Harry.

She added that if Harry were to return to royal duties, he would be greeted with ‘real enthusiasm’ because he has always been such a popular member of the family.

Podcast co-host Kate Williams said that while she holds ‘no sympathy’ for Andrew, she does have some for Harry

She added that if Harry were to return to royal duties, he would be greeted with ‘real enthusiasm’

Andrew announced last week he would relinquish his Duke of York title following fresh allegations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Williams said: ‘When it comes to monarchy, it’s winner takes all. You get everything, or you get nothing.

‘If Harry were to come and do more royal duties, I think he’d be greeted with real enthusiasm.

‘He’s always been such a popular member of the family.’

Hardman, however, lamented that in later life, Harry appears to have lost his sense of ‘fun’.

He described the prince now as a ‘great bundle of grievances and anger’.

‘I remember meeting Harry as a young man, he was fun!’ Hardman said.

‘One aspect of being a spare, which he underplays now, is that the expectations are different.

‘You can get away with stuff the heir cannot. The heir has to knuckle down and be serious and dutiful.’

From Queen Victoria to George V, listen to Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart an engaging history of royal spares by searching for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, wherever you get your podcasts.