Princess Catherine appeared to step in to calm Prince William after an uncomfortable exchange between the future King and his disgraced uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during a royal funeral last year.
The brief but tense moment unfolded at the late Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025, when Andrew, 66, attempted to sidle up to William, 43, and speak with him.
Footage of the encounter has since been analysed by lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling in the Channel 5 documentary Lip Reading the Royals, with the specialist claiming Andrew attempted to seek forgiveness from his nephew following the fallout from his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The exchange took place months before the latest release of the Epstein files, which has since led to Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
According to Hickling, Andrew told the Prince of Wales: “I’ve learnt from what I’ve done, but before I forget, and if I can, I’d like to ask you if you can forgive?”
William appeared visibly uncomfortable during the encounter, briefly squinting before offering no immediate response.
After being rejected, Andrew then seemed to shuffle away.
Moments later, Catherine approached her husband on the steps of the cathedral.
According to Hickling, the Princess of Wales quietly remarked: “He seems very sorry.”
William replied: “Do you think I deserve that? Is that what you mean?”
Hickling said Catherine simply repeated that he seemed very sorry.
Royal commentator Christo Foufas pointed out that despite Andrew appearing remorseful, he never actually apologised outright.
“He might have seemed sorry Princess Catherine but those words did not leave his mouth, he didn’t actually say sorry did he,” Foufas said.
Body language expert Adrienne Carter also analysed the brief interaction, suggesting William appeared deeply uneasy during the exchange.
“I think his body language is screaming, ‘Get away from me, I don’t want to be photographed, particularly engaging with you’,” Carter claimed.
Meanwhile, respected royal reporter Tom Sykes weighed in on the moment during his YouTube show The Royalist, arguing the awkward encounter underscored William’s firm stance when it comes to his uncle.
“William is a tough cookie, and I want to make it clear that a tough cookie is exactly what we need running the monarchy,” Sykes said.
“Right now, I think this touchy-feely monarchy of Charles’ is not working, I think it’s very unpopular, and I think the people actually still want the King of England to be a firm, ruthless and decisive leader. That’s my personal opinion.”
Sykes added that the interaction showed the future monarch’s no-nonsense approach.
“You mess with William at your own peril,” he said, before adding that Andrew apologised to his nephew because “he knows that William is calling the shots.”
The resurfaced moment has taken on renewed significance following the latest release of the Epstein files.
In the wake of the revelations, King Charles has taken an increasingly hard line with his younger brother, removing him from Royal Lodge and publicly backing the police investigation into Andrew.
Neither William nor Catherine has spoken publicly about the scandal.
Andrew has continuously denied wrongdoing.Â