Prince William is “furious” at Prince Andrew’s appearance at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, it is reported.
Members of the public gasped when the Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson made an unexpected arrival at the ceremony on Tuesday. Following the emotional service at Westminster Abbey, Andrew, 65, was pictured seeming to laugh and smile while other senior members of the Royal Family appeared somber.
It is said to have particularly upset William, Prince of Wales, who has reportedly been determined “not be photographed” with his uncle in recent times. Andrew Lownie, a Royal author, wrote: “William, meanwhile, was ‘furious’ at being ambushed in this way, according to friends. The news emerges as Trump’s ‘quest for grandeur’ continues with state visit.
“He has been at pains to distance himself from his uncle and not be photographed with him. He believes his father has not dealt with him with sufficient firmness and that Andrew – and Sarah Ferguson – have done much to undermine the good work of other members of the Royal Family.”
The Duke of York was accused of sexual abuse by one of pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent victims, Virginia Giuffre. Father-of-two Andrew has denied these accusations, reports the Mirror.
Mr. Lownie believes that a “a personal element” has contributed to William’s distance from Andrew in recent years. He told the Daily Mail: “Apart from concerns about reputational damage, there is also a personal element here which goes back long before the Epstein affair. Andrew is said to have been unwelcoming and rude to Kate when William was dating her – and William supposedly has never forgotten it.
“King Charles, on the other hand, finds himself in a tough spot. A gracious and forgiving man who believes Andrew and Sarah Ferguson should be included in family events, he is also painfully aware of how damaging his brother and sister-in-law can be to the Royal image.”
The monarch was seen engaging in polite conversation with both Andrew and Sarah, who despite their 1996 divorce after ten years of marriage, continue to cohabit at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire. They journeyed together from their home on Tuesday – escorted by police – to Westminster Cathedral for the funeral of Katharine, the wife of the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, September 4.
However, Andrew’s appearance occurred just hours before many high-ranking members of the Royal Family – including the Prince and Princess of Wales – were set to mingle with Donald Trump during his state visit. The Royal Family is being utilized this week as part of the nation’s soft power strategy to appease Mr. Trump amidst international conflicts.
The President, however, basked in the grandeur of the Royal spectacle at Windsor Castle last night during an opulent state banquet. Earlier, he was welcomed by Charles, military honor guards, and mounted troops, before paying a private tribute at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
