Prince William's 'phone call to uncle Andrew after he was stripped of his titles' laid bare
The former Duke of York was reportedly "touched"Prince William phoned his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on the night he was stripped of his royal titles, a new book has claimed.
In October last year, the palace announced that Andrew’s remaining royal titles and honours would be removed. It came amid renewed scrutiny around his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
At the time, the palace confirmed that King Charles had initiated a formal process to remove his brother Andrew’s titles. This included his prince title. Since then, the royal has been known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Now, a new book has claimed that the Prince of Wales reportedly offered condolences to his uncle after the titles decision.
Prince William’s ‘phone call’ to Andrew over royal titles
In his new biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II, titled Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, author Robert Hardman claims that William called his uncle on the night he lost his titles.
According to Hardman, he did this to “offer condolences”.
The book also claims that Andrew was “very touched” that William was “one of the few people” who reached out to him.
Royal Insider has contacted Kensington Palace and representatives for Andrew for comment on these claims.
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Why did Andrew lose his royal titles?
The decision to strip Andrew, 66, of his titles came amid mounting scrutiny over his past association with Epstein.
For years, Andrew has faced backlash and questions over his links to the disgraced financier. He has also faced allegations of sexual assault.
Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life last April, alleged she was made to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions in the early 2000s when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew always vehemently denied these allegations.
Last October, following the release of Ms Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, the scrutiny against Andrew intensified further. In the book, Ms Giuffre described her alleged encounters with the royal.
Palace’s statement on Andrew’s titles
At the end of October, the palace issued a statement. It read: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. 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. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
Release of Epstein files
This year, the scrutiny surrounding Andrew worsened following the release of millions of Epstein files in January.
Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground. No context was supplied for the images.
Emails within the files also appeared to show Andrew allegedly sharing confidential and sensitive documents with Epstein during his time as UK’s trade envoy.
Then, on February 19, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Hours after his arrest, police released Andrew under investigation.
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