Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla Brought In a 'Female Touch' to Andrew Title Decision: Report
Behind Charles’s decisive move to strip Andrew of his titles were the hands of Kate and Camilla, determined to protect the monarchy’s integrity.
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing
When the axe finally fell on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's remaining royal titles, the decision had come from King Charles. But behind the scenes, both Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton reportedly played decisive roles in pushing for a firm resolution after Mountbatten Windsor failed to 'do the right thing.' The King, as sources say, was left exasperated. Despite giving his younger brother every opportunity to take responsibility, he remained defiant.
“He would have been really exasperated with it,” a source close to the King told PEOPLE. “Andrew had been given so many chances and opportunities to do the right thing, and he would be frustrated that he had to make a difficult decision rather than dealing with it. He would find it quite painful.” Buckingham Palace’s announcement on the Andrew issue was the culmination of weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions involving senior royals.
Palace insiders have said that the unusual bluntness that the announcement carried had the fingerprints of the two pragmatic royal women, that is, the Queen Consort and Middleton. “There was definitely a sense of a female touch in that statement,” a royal insider argued. “There would have been a push from Camilla and Middleton, and there was pressure from William, who would not want to inherit the headache. It was a family decision.”
The Palace's statement had read: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.” These words, insiders say, had Camilla written all over them; a Queen who has long championed causes related to domestic and sexual violence, personally connecting with survivors. The claims do find some merit when we look back at her past endeavors. Long before she became Queen, she used her platform to shed light on issues often silenced within society, from sexual abuse to child exploitation.
The decision to finally cut Mountbatten Windsor's loose was also about the future. With the King recently heckled about his brother’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the royal family was once again reminded that the scandal still cast a long shadow on the Firm.
“The family is definitely looking to the future,” an insider said. “William and Catherine are focused on the next chapter of the monarchy, and this had to be dealt with.” While Charles is said to have made the final call under his Royal Prerogative (the sovereign’s right to manage royal titles and honors), it’s clear that the Queen and Princess of Wales helped steady his hand. Both women reportedly agreed that the monarchy could not afford to appear complacent or divided.
Still, the move was not without personal pain. “Though they’re not close, Andrew is his brother,” a Palace source said. “He will feel concern for him. But he wouldn’t have wanted to make that decision. He would rather Andrew dealt with it.”
If you are being subjected to sexual abuse, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)
