Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is reportedly directing blame for his dramatic fall from royal status toward Princess Kate, according to sources familiar with his thinking.
Once a senior member of the British royal family with military honors and long-standing residence at the prestigious Royal Lodge, Andrew is now a private citizen without royal titles or official duties. As he faces removal from royal property and increasing isolation, insiders claim he believes decisions behind his exile were influenced from within the palace—specifically by the Princess of Wales.
Fallout From Ongoing Controversy
Andrew’s decline within the monarchy has unfolded over several years, largely driven by sustained public scrutiny tied to his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein. That scrutiny intensified again in October following the release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice.
The book included renewed allegations involving Andrew, who previously reached a financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022 while denying wrongdoing. The publication reignited media attention, public criticism, and internal pressure on the royal family to further distance itself from the controversy.
Loss of Titles and Royal Residence
In October 2025, Andrew released a statement formally stepping away from his remaining royal affiliations, describing the allegations as a distraction to the monarchy while continuing to deny them.
Later that month, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles III had initiated the process to remove Andrew’s remaining privileges. This included revoking his lease at Royal Lodge, a valuable royal estate residence in Windsor.
A palace statement clarified that Andrew would henceforth be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and would be required to vacate Royal Lodge and relocate to private accommodation.
Delayed Departure From Royal Lodge
Despite formal notice, Andrew remains at Royal Lodge months later. Royal commentator Robert Jobson has said Andrew appears to be delaying the move, using available legal and contractual steps to extend his stay.
According to Jobson, Andrew has shown little urgency to relocate to alternative housing, reportedly a private property in Sandringham owned by King Charles III. Sources describe the delay as a strategic effort rather than a logistical issue.
Focus Turns to Princess Kate
As plans for his eventual move continue, reports suggest Andrew has become increasingly focused on Princess Kate, 44, with whom he once shared a friendly relationship during her early years dating Prince William.
According to an insider, Andrew believes that Kate—now Princess of Wales—played a significant behind-the-scenes role in decisions affecting his future, particularly during a period when King Charles has been undergoing cancer treatment and relying more heavily on senior family members.
“Andrew is convinced that major decisions about his role and residence were discussed with William and Kate,” the source claimed. “But instead of directing his anger at William, he believes Kate used her influence to ensure he remained sidelined.”
Claims of Behind-the-Scenes Influence
The same source alleges Andrew now refers to Kate as someone who quietly shaped outcomes within the royal household, describing her as instrumental in his continued exclusion from official royal life.
According to these claims, Andrew has shared his belief with associates and has expressed resentment over what he sees as a loss of family support and reputation management within the monarchy.
Visible Separation From the Family
Public appearances have reinforced perceptions of Andrew’s isolation. In December, he was seen riding alone on horseback while senior royals—including King Charles, Prince William, Princess Kate, and Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie—attended the family’s Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.
The contrast further fueled speculation about Andrew’s standing within the royal family and the permanence of his separation from royal life.
Ongoing Media Attention
While Andrew’s claims remain unverified and are attributed to unnamed sources, they highlight the continued strain within the monarchy as it balances public image, accountability, and institutional stability.
As the royal family navigates ongoing media scrutiny and reputational challenges, Andrew’s future—both personally and publicly—remains uncertain.