<\/p>\n
Princess Kate Middleton reportedly played a key role in stripping Andrew, the scandal-hit younger brother of King Charles III, of his royal titles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A source close to the royal family informed People <\/i>that they \u201csensed a female influence\u201d in the Palace\u2019s official statement released on Thursday. This sparked speculation that Queen Camilla and Princess Kate may have been involved in the decision to remove Andrew\u2019s title.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI would think the Queen had a hand in that. There would have been a push from Camilla and Catherine, and there was pressure from William, who would not want to inherit the headache. It was quite strong, and I was quite proud when I heard it,” the source told People<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The family is \u201cdefinitely looking to the future. This could all be part of that. William and Catherine are moving soon, and all their comments have been about looking to the future,” the source continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although King Charles and Andrew are reportedly not close, the source stated, \u201c[Andrew] is his brother, and he will feel some care and affection and concern for him. But he wouldn\u2019t have wanted to make that decision. He would rather Andrew dealt with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another source told People <\/i>that Charles was \u201cexasperated\u201d by Andrew\u2019s tendency to downplay the allegations against him, adding \u201cAndrew had been given numerous chances and opportunities to do the right thing, and [Charles] would be frustrated that he had to make a difficult decision instead of Andrew addressing it himself. He would find it quite painful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The letter from Buckingham <\/a>Palace stated, \u201cHis Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFormal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, even though he continues to deny the allegations against him,\u201d it further said, adding, “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Royal sources cited by PTI <\/i>said that Andrew <\/a>will leave his 30-room mansion \u201cas soon as practicable\u201d and relocate to a residence on the King\u2019s private Sandringham Estate that will be \u201cprivately funded\u201d by the monarch. The disgraced 65-year-old former Duke had already ceased using the \u201cHis Royal Highness (HRH)\u201d title after stepping back from royal duties. Earlier this month, he mentioned that all his remaining titles would also become inactive, while continuing to \u201cvigorously\u201d refute all allegations against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile, Andrew\u2019s former wife and close friend, Sarah Ferguson<\/a>, will also stop using the title Duchess of York. However, the titles of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unchanged, as they are the daughters of a son of a British sovereign, the late Queen Elizabeth II.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat did the letter from Buckingham Palace say?<\/h2>\n