Numerous experts and commentators have long claimed that Prince Andrew is the favorite child of Queen Elizabeth II. But, more recent assertions from a royal biographer suggest that the honor goes to Prince Edward, not the monarch’s second son.

The Mirror recently unearthed the claims Matthew Dennison wrote in his lengthy biography of the British Monarch. As noted, he believes the Queen and the rest of the family have always favored her youngest child the most.

The outlet consequently quoted the biographer, writing, “Prince Edward, seemingly a bit wet and a tad irritating to the rest of us, was always his parents’ favorite.”

Dennison is said to have explained that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip favoring the Earl of Wessex “became apparent in 1987,” during which time he was 22. As claimed, he decided to leave the Royal Marines despite being only “just a third of the way through his 12-month basic training course.”

Reportedly, the Duke of Edinburgh “accepted that the Marines ‘was not right’” for Prince Edward. It is claimed to have surprised some people as he, Captain-General of the Royal Marines, “did not come down on his son like a ton of bricks.”

The Mirror later recalled royal expert Ingrid Seward’s thoughts on the matter. She reportedly stated that Prince Philip was “very understanding” about his and Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest child’s decision to opt-out of the Marines.

The publication quoted the expert’s piece for the Daily Mail, writing, “Given his action-man image and his well-earned reputation for irascibility, many people assumed he was outraged.”

It continues, “Stories soon spread that harsh words had been exchanged between father and son; even that Edward had been reduced to tears by his father’s anger.”

But, Seward is said to have argued that the assumptions and speculations were far from the truth, adding that it was “quite the opposite.” She alleged that the monarch’s Prince Consort “was in fact the most sympathetic” among all the members of the British Royal Family.

Meanwhile, there are also claims about the favorite daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II. It has long been established that she favors Sophie, Countess of Wessex, the most.

Speaking to The Sun, a former royal equerry asserted that Prince Edward’s wife “is like another daughter” to the British Monarch, adding that “they are that close.”

It was also alleged that the Queen “trusts” and “relies on” the Countess of Wessex “in a way” that is different from how she is with Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker Bowles.

Moreover, the monarch reportedly sees her youngest child’s wife “as the Royal Family’s safest pair of hands.”