Prince Andrew faces being banned by the King from wearing ceremonial robes at the Coronation.
The Duke of York is furious after being kept in the dark over a decision on whether he can dress in the grand velvet robes and glistening insignia denoting his position as a Knight of the Garter.
King Charles is torn over whether to allow his disgraced brother to don the theatrical regalia after Andrew was forced to step back from royal duties following a sex abuse scandal.
The Duke last year paid £12million in an out of court settlement to his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and was subsequently blocked from appearing alongside the late Queen in her final appearance at the traditional Garter Day procession in Windsor.
The King’s coronation on May 6 will be a designated “Collar Day” meaning members of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, may wear the regalia and collar that signifies the British orders of knighthood they belong to.
Andrew now faces being ordered to wear a lounge suit after he was stripped of his military appointment Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, although he remains a Vice Admiral because of his service in the Royal Navy.
One source said the Duke of York had been “left completely in the dark” over his role and required dress for the coronation, despite other attendees being notified ahead of time.
The royal insider added: “Andrew is furious. He’s already not playing a part and now he feels he is being disrespected and dictated to over something he is fully entitled to (wear).”
The King and Prince William reacted with fury after discovering that the Duke was set to appear in his full outfit for the public procession last June and lobbied Her Majesty to overturn the decision.
Sources said the royals feared a backlash at the time after Andrew paid off Ms Giuffre five months beforehand, dramatically halting a full civil trial on the claims he vehemently denied. He still denies wrongdoing.
Meanwhile The King has instructed courtiers to create a slimmed down Coronation, “fit for the modern age”.
Only 2,000 guests have been invited to Westminster Abbey, down from 8,000 for Queen Elizabeth’s, with the ceremony reduced from three hours to 90 minutes.
Another well placed source with knowledge of the coronation plans, said: “Despite rumours of a cut price coronation, this is most certainly going to be a grand occasion.
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“The eyes of the world will be on Britain and we won’t disappoint.”
Charles, 74, is understood to have opted to break with centuries of tradition and drop the wearing of silk stockings and breeches at his Coronation.
The monarch, 74, will instead wear military uniform when he is crowned.
Buckingham Palace did not comment.
