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Following Prince Andrew\u2019s scandals, Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be quietly enforcing a stricter, \u201czero-tolerance\u201d approach within the monarchy.<\/p>\n
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital the Prince and Princess of Wales, who represent the British royal family\u2019s future, are more determined than ever to safeguard that legacy while supporting King Charles III.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrince William, in particular, is not satisfied with how the Prince Andrew situation has been handled at the moment,\u201d Chard claimed. \u201cHe is looking into the future with a solution-focused lens. He is far more ruthless than his father. He always takes the harder line. He can see reputational damage escalating for the royal family and is reviewing a decisive way forward to combat further scandals.\u201d<\/p>\n
PRINCE WILLIAM FORCES PRINCE ANDREW OUT TO SAVE THE MONARCHY FROM BEING \u2018OVERSHADOWED BY SLEAZE\u2019: EXPERT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe realizes it\u2019s harder for the king to deal with his brother than it will be for him to deal with his uncle in due course,\u201d said Chard.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, he feels his father has teetered too long with the kid gloves approach. Prince William and the whole royal family<\/a> are fully supportive of King Charles taking a stronger stance against his brother. William would prefer a swift, clean break with Prince Andrew before things decline further. He also hopes to shield the king from the damage.\u201d<\/p>\n On Oct. 17, Andrew announced he was relinquishing his Duke of York title and other honors after renewed scrutiny over his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>. In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the monarch\u2019s younger brother said, \u201cThe continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.\u201d<\/p>\n WATCH: PRINCE ANDREW, JEFFREY EPSTEIN HAD MONEY AND SEX IN COMMON: AUTHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWith His Majesty\u2019s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.\u201d<\/p>\n Several senior members of the royal family, including William, were consulted about Andrew\u2019s decision to give up his royal titles, People magazine<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Royal experts told Fox News Digital that William, with the support of his wife, played a significant role in pushing Andrew out. They previously noted that once William becomes king<\/a>, he will take a tougher stance, banning Andrew from royal life altogether.<\/p>\n Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Prince and Princess of Wales are proud of the monarchy,\u201d said Chard. \u201cEnduring Prince Andrew\u2019s scandals<\/a>, they don\u2019t want any other sideshows blotting the royal family\u2019s good work. Moving forward, there are murmurs of those being stripped of titles and losing certain privileges.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles, 76, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024. Prince William, his heir, has been described by royal experts as his right-hand man, taking on more duties. Kate, who announced she was officially in remission from cancer in January, has slowly returned to royal duties.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPrince William and Princess Catherine\u2019s zero-tolerance blueprint is already transforming royal family dynamics,\u201d British royals expert Hilary Fordwich<\/a> told Fox News Digital. \u201cThey\u2019re proactive behind the scenes to specifically address scandals, enforcing a far better level of discipline, all intended to protect the monarchy\u2019s future by excluding those who threaten its reputation in any way, shape or form.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew stepped down from public life in 2019 over his association with Epstein, despite his denials of wrongdoing. His latest announcement came days after the posthumous memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre was published on Oct. 21. The 41-year-old, who died in April, alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Andrew, 65, when she was 17.<\/p>\n In 2021, Giuffre sued Andrew, who denied her claims and said he didn\u2019t recall meeting her. The case was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. According to court documents, the prince acknowledged that Giuffre was \u201can established victim of abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n Officially stripping Andrew of his royal titles would require an act of parliament. While Andrew will no longer be referred to as the Duke of York, he will remain a prince as he is the son of the late queen. His Royal Highness title has been inactive since 2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no doubt that William sees the need for a scorched-earth policy where Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are concerned,\u201d royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. \u201cThis matter should surely have been resolved by the time William becomes king. Who knows by then where Andrew and Sarah Ferguson will be residing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe question as to how Andrew\u2019s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are handled will be extremely tricky,\u201d he said. \u201cOnly four working royals are under 70. There was potential for them, which now seems unlikely, but anything could happen in the weeks and months ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWilliam will obviously give the institution a more contemporary look,\u201d Fitzwilliams continued. \u201cWhat is especially significant are his and Catherine\u2019s approval ratings<\/a> [in the U.K.]. They are indeed the monarchy\u2019s trump card.\u201d<\/p>\n Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner also told Fox News Digital that William, a father to three young children, is not satisfied with the outcome surrounding his disgraced uncle.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is immense pressure behind the scenes to oust Andrew to sanitize the monarchy,\u201d he claimed. \u201cAndrew thinks it\u2019s too quiet. Sarah hates the heat. But their days are numbered.\u201d<\/p>\n While William, 43, wants to take a harsher stance, his wife is ensuring that their children<\/a> are protected from media scrutiny, said Chard.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s education first,\u201d she said. \u201cThey are being taught all the royal ropes.\u201d<\/p>\n Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that William \u201chas been the force behind all of this\u201d with his wife\u2019s support.<\/p>\n \u201cPrince William is looking far more long-term at the viability, reputation and indeed existence of the monarchy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n