A chilly interaction between Prince Andrew and Prince William at the recent funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral hinted at the strained relationship between the two royals. Reports suggest that the King, along with his son Prince William, played a significant role in persuading Prince Andrew to voluntarily renounce his royal titles amid ongoing fallout from allegations of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking victim, Virginia Giuffre.
Despite denying the accusations, Prince Andrew settled out of court in 2022 to avoid a civil trial with Giuffre in the U.S. Nevertheless, he has been sidelined from royal duties, stripped of his military rank, and removed from charity positions in recent times.
Prince William is believed to have taken a leading role behind the scenes, influencing the situation alongside his father. This dynamic may explain the awkward encounter between Prince Andrew and his nephew at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral a few weeks ago.
Observers noted that Prince William remained aloof during the event, choosing not to engage with Prince Andrew despite the latter’s attempts at conversation. While Prince Andrew tried to initiate dialogue multiple times, Prince William’s silence was telling. A lip reader was consulted to analyze their interaction, revealing Andrew’s reminiscing about past times with William, met with a lack of response.
Royal author Andrew Lownie commented that William was displeased with the situation, aiming to distance himself from his uncle and avoid being photographed together. Concerns have also emerged about Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge residence in Windsor Great Park, where he has paid a nominal rent for over two decades. Efforts are being made to address the lease arrangement, with pressure mounting for Andrew to vacate the property.
The royal family is expected to relocate to Forest Lodge soon, prompting discussions about the future of Royal Lodge. Amid growing public scrutiny and calls for change, it is suggested that Prince William and Kate share concerns about the situation evolving into a spectacle. There have even been protestors outside Royal Lodge demanding Andrew’s departure, adding to the pressure for resolution and closure on the matter before William ascends to the throne.
