An “uncomfortable” Prince William appeared to make a “deliberate” move towards uncle Prince Andrew in a moment between the two at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, according to reports.
William and his wife, Kate, joined King Charles at the duchess’ funeral on September 16. The palace announced that Queen Camilla couldn’t attend due to a health issue. She was recovering from acute sinusitis and needed to rest before US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK later that week.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, died on September 4 at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family, at the age of 92. The news was announced by Buckingham Palace the following day.
Her funeral was conducted by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, at Westminster Cathedral. It became the first Catholic funeral for a member of the royal family in modern history.
Andrew seen speaking to William at Duchess of Kent’s funeral
In a video circulating online from the event, Andrew smiled and tried to engage in conversation with William. His nephew then covered his own mouth but it completely isn’t clear if he replied. Andrew then stopped grinning and said something back to William.
William is deliberately speaking behind his hand so you can’t see what he is saying.
According to an insider, William appeared to warn his uncle that appearing so happy at a funeral was “not a good look”.
The source reportedly told the Daily Mail: “William is deliberately speaking behind his hand so you can’t see what he is saying. William was clearly aware that the cameras were on them and felt uncomfortable.”
They continued: “He is pretty media savvy and would have known it might not be a good look, and also did not want to be seen chatting to his uncle.”
Days after the service, a lip reader suggested that, when Andrew attempted to initiate conversation with his nephew at the funeral, he said: “We had a lovely time in those days, didn’t we. I remember those days.”
Long-standing tension between the two
Moreover, it’s long been reported that there’s tension between William and Andrew. Royal author Andrew Lownie claimed in his book The Rise and Fall of the Yorks that the tension had been there for years. However, it had allegedly been exacerbated due to Andrew being “rude” to Kate.
In recent days, rumours arose that William and Charles’ recent father and son trip to Balmoral would involve “peace talks” with William upset by his father’s handling of both Andrew and Prince Harry, who William hasn’t spoken to since 2022.
Lownie gave his opinion to Vanity Fair, claiming that he was told William wants Charles to take a “firmer line” with the Duke of York. This came amid scandals regarding his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“William, as future king, will have to deal with the fallout from this,” Lownie claimed. “He wants this problem solved and has no sentimental attachment to Andrew. He has no time for Andrew, and he can see how toxic the Yorks are.”
Royal Insider has contacted Kensington Palace reps for comment.
