Now that the dust is beginning to settle after Buckingham Palace’s announcement that the former Prince Andrew has been formally stripped of his royal titles, we are getting a bit more insight into what the decision making process was behind the scenes for the senior royals. According to a palace insider, Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla both played a role in the decision, adding a “female touch” to the statement that was released to share the news.
It was a “quite painful” decision to make.
King Charles was required to use the powers of his Royal Prerogative to strip Andrew of his titles (and put an end to his lease at Royal Lodge) without parliament, but a source close to the royals told People that it’s not a choice he would have taken lightly.
“He would have been really exasperated with it,” the source said. “Andrew had been given so many chances and opportunities to do the right thing, and he would be exasperated that he had to make a difficult decision rather than Andrew dealing with it. He would find it quite painful.”
The statement issued by the palace reflected Kate and Camilla’s involvement.
Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that going forward, the former prince would be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and ended the statement with a message for survivors of abuse: “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.”
The source said that this part of the statement shows the “female touch” that Kate and Camilla would have brought to the family’s message.
“I would think the Queen had a hand in that,” they said. “There would have been a push from Camilla and Catherine, and there was pressure from William, who would not want to inherit the headache.”
The future of the monarchy also weighed heavily on Charles.
With William preparing to travel to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize, Charles didn’t want the scandal involving Andrew to overshadow the good work his son is doing — and right now, the family is “definitely 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 insider added.
Reportedly, Charles was waiting for Andrew to take action himself, but he never did.
If it seemed like Charles dragged his feet on this decision, it might have been because it was one he was hoping he wouldn’t have to make.
“[Andrew] is his brother, and he will feel some care and affection and concern for him,” the insider told People. “But he wouldn’t have wanted to make that decision. He would rather Andrew dealt with it.”
