Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s final royal engagement came just weeks before he was completely stripped of his prince and duke titles
Prince William is believed to not approve of his uncle Andrew(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor made his final public appearance with the Royal Family in September before he was stripped of all his royal titles. Formerly known as Prince Andrew, the disgraced 65-year-old stood beside Prince William and King Charles as he paid his respects to the late Duchess of Kent at her funeral.
However, while standing on the steps of Westminster Cathedral, the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English picked up on a surprising exchange between Andrew and his nephew. Speaking on the Daily Mail Royals’ YouTube channel, the publication’s Richard Eden said: “Her jaw dropped when Andrew attempted to make conversation with William on the steps of Westminster Cathedral.
“This frosty exchange made headlines, but to me, this was the precise moment we saw William’s intention to oust Andrew in the coming weeks. After the funeral, Andrew could be seen muttering a few words to William who appears to decline to engage in the conversation and only gives a brief nod in response.”
Body language expert Judi James also picked up on Prince William’s “non-verbal responses” which suggested an awkward tension between him and his uncle and a desire to reject his conversation, the Mirror reports.
The King has stripped Andrew of his royal titles (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty)
Speaking to the publication, Judi went on to describe Andrew’s facial expression as a “smug-looking smile” as he tried to coax a reply out of his nephew.
Little did he know that in the coming weeks, he would be relinquished of his Prince and Duke titles as well as being booted out of his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge.
King Charles’ decision came following continuous controversy over his younger brother’s ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Buckingham Palace’s statement read: “His 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.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
“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.”
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It is understood that Andrew will move to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, although specific details about his living arrangements have not been disclosed.
The father-of-two has been living in the 30-room Royal Lodge mansion for over two decades with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Fergie will now have to find her own home after she too was booted out of the mansion.
According to reports, the former Duchess could be set to move into a villa in Portugal, owned by their youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
A resident on the Costa Terra resort told the Express: “The word here is that Fergie will be arriving sometime in January.
“How long she’ll stay is anyone’s guess but if it’s a long-term move, I can guarantee she’ll fit well into the social scene. Scores of celebrities and Hollywood stars have been snapping up properties in the area.”