Prince William and Princess Kate Played “Crucial Role” in Decision to Strip Andrew of Title, Says Source

This week, Prince William redirected the media’s focus from the scandal surrounding his uncle Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to his environmental conservation efforts with a trip to Brazil in support of the Earthshot Prize.

The Prince of Wales will head back to the UK on Friday after a five-day tour of Brazil, which included a starry Earthshot Prize awards ceremony on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, with performances by Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes and a video message from Tom Cruise. On Thursday, William represented King Charles at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

William is said to be thrilled with the success of his trip, and even more delighted that Andrew is no longer dominating headlines. According to sources close to the prince, William has been “acutely aware” of the damage his uncle is causing the monarchy, and is determined to do what he can to preserve its reputation.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, talks with Kylie Minogue and Seu Jorge at the fifth annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony on November 05, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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“William believes passionately in the future of the monarchy, and he knows that it is at a crucial point,” says a royal insider. “He was very involved in the decision to have Andrew formally stripped of his titles. While the king has taken the credit, William and his wife actually have played a crucial role behind the scenes.”

On October 30, Buckingham Palace released an official statement announcing the decision to officially strip Andrew of his titles. “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,” it read. “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”

According to one family friend, the couple lobbied hard for Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge, his home for more than 20 years, located on the Windsor estate. He will now live on the more remote and privately owned Sandringham estate.

Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton recently moved into Forest Lodge in Windsor, where they are expected to live when they become king and queen. “William was the hand on his father’s back. He has been instrumental in the whole thing. Kate has been very firm too. They both made it clear that Andrew cannot be anywhere near them in Windsor,” said a family friend.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025.

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Some view King Charles’s unprecedented decision to formally remove Andrew’s titles as a warning to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

“There’s a clear message from the very top,” says a source close to the royals. “William is ruthless when it comes to the monarchy and protecting its reputation. If anyone—and that includes the Sussexes—[is] seen to be damaging the reputation of the monarchy, there will be serious repercussions. Harry wants to come back to Britain more. Charles has opened the door, but William is more cautious. He’s tough and resolute and very protective of his family, and he will allow no one to damage it.”

According to another source, William spent time with his father in Scotland last month discussing how to deal with what is apparently known as “the Andrew problem.”

“The king doesn’t like confrontation and had concerns about cutting Andrew out completely. He is worried about Andrew being a loose cannon. William has been much firmer from the outset. He has no sentimental attachment to Andrew; he thinks he is toxic and wants him as far away as possible.

They both agreed the family needed to distance itself from Andrew, and robust action needed to happen. On that, they were absolutely aligned.”

In recent weeks, leaked emails emerged showing that Andrew continued to keep in touch with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein for some time after he claimed he cut off contact in a 2019 Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis. Soon after, Andrew’s princely status and royal orders were revoked.

This week, King Charles issued a letters patent to formally and legally remove Andrew of his HRH titles and that of “Prince.”