Prince William reportedly pushed for Prince Andrew to be removed from the Royal Family following the fallout from the Epstein scandal, according to a new book.
The claim, published in Catherine, The Princess of Wales by a Daily Mirror royal editor, alleges the Prince of Wales viewed his uncle as a threat to the institution and to his own future reign.
The book, which is being published, suggests William was furious in the aftermath of Andrew’s 2019 BBC Newsnight interview and wanted swift action taken to limit reputational damage.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
It claims William believed Andrew should be kicked out of the royal fold “before the rot set in”, fearing long-term consequences for the monarchy.
A source quoted in the book alleges William felt Andrew’s presence was “a stain on all the family” and argued he should step away from royal life entirely to deal with the fallout privately.
However, the book claims William was overruled by both his father, King Charles III, and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In Russell Myers’ writes about Prince William’s response to the BBC interview: “The interview was a disaster, not only for Andrew, whose reputation was in tatters, but for the monarchy at large. Suddenly, the palace was engaged in a full-scale firefight, with deepening questions over its relevance in a modern world, even its survival.”
“In the aftermath, William spoke to his father to implore him and the Queen to take immediate action, fearing not only the public backlash but for his own future.”
A source for the book said: “Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William’s future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes. He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in.”
“William’s view was that he [Andrew] got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family.”
The allegations come as Prince Andrew continues to face scrutiny over his past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this week, reports revealed new documents allegedly show Andrew leaked trade envoy documents to a banker friend. Emails published in so-called Epstein files claim the former duke forwarded an email containing at least four official documents in 2010 while acting as a UK global trade envoy.
The attachments were reportedly sent within minutes of Andrew receiving them on November 30, 2010, while he was visiting Epstein at his New York apartment.
Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive commercial or political information connected to official visits.
The book also alleges William later clashed with Charles over Andrew’s attendance at family events, including appearances at Sandringham, but ultimately did not press the issue after being “put in his place”.
It follows reports that William intends to bar his uncle from his coronation and Christmas gatherings at Sandringham when he becomes King.
Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 after widespread backlash over his Newsnight interview. He was later stripped of his military titles and royal patronages and no longer uses his HRH style.
He also relinquished his role in the Order of the Garter, the UK’s oldest and most senior order of chivalry, to which he had been appointed in 2006.
Andrew continues to deny any wrongdoing.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source thenightly.com.au ’
