Prince William has reportedly harboured a “grudge” against Prince Andrew ever since his uncle was not the most welcoming towards his then future wife, Kate Middleton.
And a royal expert and commentator claims this could prove pivotal in Andrew’s potential eviction from Royal Lodge.
Richard Kay has suggested that the animosity the Prince of Wales feels towards the Duke of York originated from how Kate was treated upon her introduction to the Royal family.
The Duke of York withdrew from public life following a calamitous BBC Newsnight interview in 2020, and it’s worth noting that the tension with Prince William predates this event. At the beginning of 2022, it was announced by Buckingham Palace that Andrew had surrendered his military affiliations and Royal patronages back to the Queen.
Since then, he has kept out of the spotlight, a development some attribute to the influence exerted by King Charles and Prince William. Rumours suggest that Prince William played a key role in removing Prince Andrew from his office at Buckingham Palace and has been adamant about excluding him from official Royal events.
Speculation is rife that William might also be the force behind King Charles considering the removal of Andrew from Royal Lodge. Royal journalist Richard Kay, speaking to Mail Online, claimed that William has “long held a grudge” against Andrew and believes that Charles has been ‘too soft’ on him.
The author penned: “Differences between monarch and heir do remain, especially when it comes to the Prince Andrew scandal. William has long held a grudge against Andrew for being unwelcoming when he first introduced the then Kate Middleton to the Royal Family and feels that his father has been too soft on him. It has led to speculation that it is William who is pushing his father to evict the Duke of York from Royal Lodge, so the Waleses could move in.”
It’s reported that King Charles is eager for Prince Andrew to exchange his lavish Royal Lodge for the more humble Frogmore Cottage, previously home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, causing a Royal commotion. The suggested relocation is believed to be causing friction between the brothers, with Andrew not particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of downsizing.
Royal writer and commentator Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “For King Charles, forcing Andrew to move to Frogmore solves several problems at once – it sends a message to Harry that, as a private citizen and no longer a working royal, he will never be allowed back to Frogmore.”
“It sends [a] message to Andrew that having disgraced himself, he can no longer expect to live in the grand style. And, finally, it means that a suitably grand residence can be made ready for the royals who really matter – William and Kate. Charles is determined that Royal Lodge is the only residence on the royal estate at Windsor that is big enough and regal enough for his heir.”
While the decision of whether Prince William and Kate Middleton will move into Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew leaves is still up in the air, a source close to the couple has previously stated that “taking on Royal Lodge would mean a transformation in the way they lead their lives”.
The source further revealed: “One of the main reasons why the couple are so content at Adelaide Cottage, their current home in Windsor Great Park, is because it is a family house and there are no live-in staff. Moving into the vast Royal Lodge would mean having to accommodate domestic staff, something they have long resisted.”
Rumours are swirling about the potential handover of the residence to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Additionally, an insider spilled the beans to The Sun about the property: “It makes sense for Royal Lodge to be handed back to Crown Estates, which can pay for the much-needed repairs and renovations. It could then be rented to earn money for them, the King’s coffers and the country rather than being a drain on everyone’s resources.”