Princess Kate Middleton reportedly played a key role in stripping Andrew, the scandal-hit younger brother of King Charles III, of his royal titles.
A source close to the royal family told People that they “felt a female influence” in an official palace statement released Thursday. This has sparked speculation that Queen Camilla and Princess Kate may have been involved in the decision to strip Andrew of his title.
“I think the Queen had a hand in it. Camilla and Catherine would have been pushing for it and William not wanting to inherit a headache was the push. It was quite strong and I was quite proud to hear it,” the source told People.
The family is “definitely looking to the future. All of that could be part of it. William and Catherine are moving soon and all their comments were about looking to the future,” the source continued.
Although King Charles and Andrew are not said to be close, the source said: “(Andrew) is his brother and he will feel some care and affection and concern for him. But he wouldn’t want to make that decision. He’d rather Andrew deal with it.”
Another source told People that Charles was “exasperated” by Andrew’s tendency to downplay the allegations against him, adding: “Andrew was given a number of chances and opportunities to do the right thing and (Charles) would be frustrated that he had to make a difficult decision instead of Andrew handling it himself. It would be quite painful for him.”
Read also | What prompted King to take the drastic step of stripping Andrew of the title of “Prince”.
What was in the letter from Buckingham Palace?
A letter from Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty has today begun the formal process to withdraw the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His Royal Lodge lease has hitherto provided him with legal protection to continue his residence.”
“Formal notice has now been served for him to give up his tenancy and move into alternative private accommodation. These reprimands are deemed necessary, although he continues to deny the allegations against him,” it continued, adding: “Their Majesties wish to convey that their thoughts and utmost sympathy have been and remain with the victim and survivor of all forms of abuse.”
Read also | Why did King Charles strip Andrew of his ‘prince’ title, honors and royal home
Royal sources quoted by PTI said Andrew will leave his 30-room mansion “as soon as possible” and move to a residence on the royal’s private Sandringham Estate, which will be “privately funded” by the monarch. The disgraced 65-year-old former duke has already stopped using the title “His Royal Highness (HRH)” after stepping down from royal duties. Earlier this month, he mentioned that all of his remaining titles would also become inactive while he continues to “vigorously” refute all allegations against him.
Meanwhile, Andrew’s ex-wife and close friend Sarah Ferguson will also stop using the Duchess of York title. However, the titles of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unchanged as they are the daughters of the son of the British monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Read also | ‘An ordinary girl overthrew a prince’: Giuffre family on Andrew’s downfall
The latest development comes amid growing public pressure on Andrew over his links to convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and alleged links to a suspected Chinese spy.
A memoir called Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre, who sued a senior royal for alleged sexual assault in August 2021 and died in April, has brought the case back into the spotlight following its recent posthumous release. In a recent statement, Giuffre’s family said she “brought the British prince down to earth with her truth and extraordinary courage.”
