Prince William’s longstanding grudge with Prince Andrew over his treatment of Kate Middleton

Prince William is said to harbor a deep-seated ‘grudge’ against his uncle Prince Andrew, a sentiment that dates back to the early days of his relationship with Kate Middleton. The Prince of Wales’ displeasure with the Duke of York reportedly stems from how Andrew treated Kate when she was new to the Royal Family.

Prince Andrew stepped down from royal duties in 2020 following a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight, but tensions with Prince William predate this event. In January 2022, it was announced by Buckingham Palace that Andrew had given up his military titles and royal patronages, returning them to the Queen.

Since then, he has kept a low profile, which some attribute to the influence of now King Charles and Prince William. It’s believed that Prince William played a key role in removing Prince Andrew from his office at Buckingham Palace and has been clear about Andrew’s exclusion from official royal events, according to the Daily Record.

Prince Andrew was unwelcoming to Kate Middleton when she first joined the Royal Family according to an expert ( Image: Getty)

Speculation is rife that Prince William is the driving force behind King Charles’s supposed push for Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge. Daily Mail columnist Richard Kay has written: “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.”

King Charles is reportedly pushing for Prince Andrew to swap his grand Royal Lodge for the more modest Frogmore Cottage, previously home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sparking a royal rift. The move is believed to be causing friction between the siblings, with Andrew reluctant to downsize.

Royal commentator Tom Quinn was quoted saying: “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.”

The prospect of William and Kate moving into Royal Lodge if Andrew leaves is still up in the air. A confidant of William and Kate shared: “Taking on Royal Lodge would mean a transformation in the way they lead their lives.”

“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.”

Rumors are circling about proposing the residence to be handed over to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Additionally, a source confided in The Sun concerning 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.”