Prince William Has 'Completely Closed The Door' Around Andrew Being Around Catherine or the Kids
Sources close to the Prince of Wales say Catherine and the kids come first — always.
Prince William has allegedly had enough and has quietly made up his mind. According to royal sources speaking to Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice, William, as heir apparent, has drawn a firm line, and it has everything to do with keeping Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor away from his wife and children.
The decision, as sources say, is absolute. Mountbatten-Windsor will never again be permitted anywhere near the Princess of Wales or their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. And that also applies to family gatherings and milestone occasions. "William has made a very firm decision," a royal insider told Shuter. "Andrew will never be around Catherine or the kids again. That door is completely closed."
Those close to the future king say this is not a snap judgment made in the heat of the moment, but a deeply considered choice. William, sources say, sees keeping Mountbatten-Windsor at arm's length as something he simply has to do, not just for his family's peace of mind, but for the future of the monarchy itself. The cloud of controversy that follows his uncle, in William's view, has no place near the people he loves most. "William's priority is protecting Catherine and the children," the insider explains. "He doesn't want them anywhere near the controversy surrounding Andrew."
There are no exceptions built into this rule. No compromises struck for the sake of appearances. If Mountbatten-Windsor shows up, William, Catherine, and the children will not. Sources describe it as being exactly that straightforward. "If Andrew is present, William, Catherine, and the children won't be. It's that simple."
What makes this particularly interesting is how far ahead William has thought through. Insiders say he has already made up his mind about the gravest occasions the Royal Family will one day face, and the answer does not change. "When the time eventually comes for King Charles's funeral, William does not want Andrew there. He doesn't want that shadow anywhere near Catherine or his children." In the end, what sources convey is not anger or drama, but a need to protect their family. "Catherine and the kids come first. Andrew is out of their world for good."
The protective stance, it seems, extends well beyond William's immediate family. According to Page Six, the Prince of Wales has also advised senior royals against being photographed with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie for the remainder of the year — a move, insiders suggest, to shield the working members of the family from the reputational fallout swirling around their father.
The directive follows the arrest of the former Duke of York on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The consequences for the Princesses have already begun to show. Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have reportedly been told they will not be attending Royal Ascot in June and will not take part in the Royal Procession alongside the rest of the family.
