Prince Andrew remains one of the most controversial members of the British Royal Family. After the scandals that marked his public life, his relationship with the rest of the royal family has taken a definitive turn. Now, Prince William and Kate Middleton have made it clear that their stance toward their uncle, King Charles III's brother, is firm.
Kate Middleton and William: confirmed
The distancing of William and Kate from Prince Andrew seems irreversible. According to The Sun, William has expressed that he doesn't want to spend time with Andrew, especially after the scandals surrounding him.
Andrew's image has been severely affected by accusations of sexual assault and his association with figures like Jeffrey Epstein. Because of this, he has been removed from the official circles of the royal family.
The experts' opinion
Several royal experts, like Hugo Vickers, agree that there is no way for Prince Andrew to return to public life. In recent statements, Vickers claimed that the royal family has already agreed on his withdrawal from official duties. "Andrew's image is shattered. Nobody wants him back in public service," the expert noted.
Since the controversial interview on BBC Newsnight in 2019, where Andrew denied the accusations against him, his image has been severely damaged. His friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and other episodes have fueled growing disapproval within the royal family. Although King Charles III's brother has continued to attend family events, his presence in public life has been reduced.
The Easter service: significant absence
During the recent Easter Sunday service at St. George's Chapel, Prince William and Kate Middleton decided not to attend. This decision has sparked speculation about their relationship with Prince Andrew. Instead, Andrew attended accompanied by his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who have publicly supported him.
Sarah Ferguson's support
Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife, has been one of the main defenders of his image. In various interviews, she has expressed her unconditional support for him, highlighting his personal qualities. However, this support hasn't managed to restore the relationship between Prince Andrew and the rest of the royal family, especially with William and Kate.
William and Kate's stance reflects an increasingly marked distancing from Prince Andrew. Although King Charles III continues to show affection toward his brother, many question whether the Duke of York has any future within the royal family. According to royal expert Phil Dampier, despite Charles's attempts, his return to public life seems increasingly complicated.
William's influence
William, as a future king, seems to be one of the forces driving this decision. According to close sources, the prince has taken the lead in ensuring that Andrew has no presence in the media or official events. The reputation of the monarchy is one of his main concerns, and any association with Andrew's scandals could jeopardize it.
Prince Andrew has been relegated to the background in the public life of the royal family. Although he remains part of family events, his influence in the institution seems to have come to an end. William and Kate's decision seems final, and the British monarchy appears to be charting a path without him.