Prince William is said to be “furious” after Prince Andrew made an unannounced appearance at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral this week.
Crowds were taken aback when the Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, turned up unexpectedly on Tuesday. While the mood among the senior royals was sombre, Andrew, 65, was spotted laughing and smiling outside Westminster Abbey, which did not go unnoticed.
According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, William had been careful to avoid being photographed with his uncle. “William, meanwhile, was ‘furious’ at being ambushed in this way, according to friends. He has been at pains to distance himself from his uncle and not be photographed with him,” Lownie wrote. He added that William feels King Charles has not dealt firmly enough with Andrew, and that both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have undermined the efforts of other royals.
Andrew has long been in the spotlight over his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual abuse, claims Andrew has consistently denied. But William’s anger is not thought to stem only from reputational worries. Lownie noted in the Daily Mail that Andrew was once “unwelcoming and rude” to Kate Middleton when William was courting her, something the Prince of Wales has never forgotten.
King Charles, however, appears to be in a bind. Known for being courteous and forgiving, he has continued to include Andrew and Ferguson at family occasions despite the controversy. On Tuesday he was seen speaking with them both, even though he knows how damaging their presence can be for the monarchy’s image.
The Duke and his ex-wife, who divorced in 1996 but still share Royal Lodge in Windsor, arrived at the funeral together under police escort. They joined mourners at Westminster Cathedral for the service of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who died aged 92 earlier this month.
The timing of Andrew’s appearance also raised eyebrows, as it came just hours before senior royals, including William and Kate, were preparing for high-profile meetings with Donald Trump during his state visit. The Royal Family has been tasked with putting on a show of pomp and tradition this week to bolster Britain’s soft power amid global tensions.
Trump was given the full royal treatment at Windsor Castle last night with a lavish state banquet. King Charles greeted him with military honours and mounted guards before the former president paid a private visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb. The contrast between the carefully choreographed royal welcome and Andrew’s disruptive presence at the funeral has not gone unnoticed, and insiders suggest it has only deepened William’s frustration.
At a time when the royals are trying to project stability and unity, Andrew’s behaviour is being seen as yet another headache for the family. While King Charles continues to extend courtesies, William appears less willing to forgive or forget past slights, making the family’s public balancing act even more difficult.
