<\/p>\n
As conversations within the UK government ramp up around removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession, it\u2019s emerged that Prince William had been pushing for that very outcome as far back as last year.<\/p>\n
The Times<\/a><\/i> UK reports that the Prince of Wales has been frustrated by the delay in cutting his disgraced 66-year-old uncle from his position as eighth in line to the throne.<\/p>\n In the wake of Andrew\u2019s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month, it was reported that the government is considering legislation to make his axing from succession official, although it would occur once police investigations had concluded \u2013 which, as government sources told the Times<\/i>, could take \u201cyears\u201d.<\/p>\n MORE:<\/b> Trashed Queen\u2019s lodge: Andrew\u2019s home now<\/a><\/p>\n Last October, the King released a statement announcing his intention to strip his brother of his titles, including prince, and evict him from Royal Lodge. At the time, it was reported that the King was reluctant to push the matter further in giving the government the green light to move on Andrew\u2019s place in succession. However, shortly before his arrest in February, royal sources told The Sunday Times<\/i> that the Palace \u201cwouldn\u2019t argue\u201d if politicians took action.<\/p>\n According to The Times<\/i>, William was keen to get the process underway back when Andrew\u2019s titles were stripped, and had privately vented his frustration that it was not resolved at the time.<\/p>\n William has spoken publicly on the scandal involving Andrew only once, releasing a joint statement with the Princess of Wales via a Kensington Palace spokesman just hours ahead of his Saudi Arabia visit last month.<\/p>\n \u201cI can confirm that the prince and princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,\u201d the spokesman said.<\/p>\n Despite the Wales\u2019 attempt to distance themselves from the drama, William was still confronted with questions<\/a> about the former Duke of York just hours later as he toured a sports centre in Riyadh as part of his diplomatic visit to the Middle East.<\/p>\n \u201cSir, to what extent do you think the Royal Family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein issue?\u201d the journalist called out in footage shared online.<\/p>\n When William didn\u2019t answer, the question was repeated, although it again did not elicit a response. It\u2019s not clear whether or not he actually heard the reporter.<\/p>\n MORE:<\/b> Prince William<\/a>\u2019s $1.5bn property empire revealed<\/a><\/p>\n The ongoing scandal surrounding Andrew has continued to deepen in recent weeks following the release of millions of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice.<\/p>\n Andrew has vehemently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n