Royal biographer Andrew Lownie has shared his view on the Duke of York’s alleged ‘unkind’ comments about the Princess of Wales, despite her being the ‘royal family’s saving grace’
A royal biographer has spoken out about Prince Andrew’s alleged ‘rude’ and ‘unkind’ comments about the Princess of Wales, leading to claims the Duke of York has a ‘tense’ relationship with his nephew, Prince William.
Biographer Andrew Lownie, who has penned the explosive new book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, said that Andrew’s alleged comments about Kate came from a place of jealousy.
Speaking out about the details in his book, Lownie said that the claims “surprised” him, as he expected the Duke of York to have more “respect” for William than to be “nasty about his wife”. It comes after Prince Andrew’s shock act of defiance as he breaks cover after brutal allegations.
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It is not known exactly what comments were made by Andrew against his nephew’s wife, but Lownie believes the jabs led to a major breakdown of the relationship between the two men.
Lownie told OK! Magazine: “I can’t see how anyone could make unkind comments about Kate when she’s been the family’s saving grace. It surprised me, but people do get jealous. I’d have thought Prince Andrew would respect William as future king though.”
The royal biographer cited the incident as a key moment that William turned his back on his uncle, saying the future king has been left ‘frustrated’ by Andrew’s actions over the years.
“William has a very strong sense of public duty and is doing his best to keep the show on the road,” Lownie said. “He’s all about doing things the right way and has enough on his plate without having to think about his uncle.”
He added: “Everyone is pulling together – Charles, Anne, Edward, William and others – but the whole side has been let down by Prince Andrew.”
According to a source who spoke to the author, there has been friction between William and Andrew for years, which began when the disgraced Duke’s actions started to impact the public’s view of the Firm.
The book has also claimed that when he becomes King, William will be eager to evict Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson out of the Royal Lodge, where the pair have lived for years despite the disapproval of King Charles.
The source is quoted in the bombshell book, saying: “He [William] also loathes Sarah, Andrew’s ex-wife, and can’t wait for the day when his father throws them both out. If Charles doesn’t, I guarantee you the first thing William does when he eventually becomes king is to get them evicted.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the claims.
Rumours of the tension between Prince William and Prince Andrew have long swirled. Earlier this year, Andrew attended the royal family’s Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel. William, Kate and their three children did not attend the service, as they instead chose to extend their break in Norfolk having just returned from a family skiing holiday.
A royal source said at the time: “William has no time for his uncle. This Easter was about spending time with his own family, but he would far prefer a situation where he doesn’t have to spend time with him.” The source went on to claim that Andrew’s relationship with Prince William, and also with King Charles, remains “incredibly strained”.
A senior royal source added: “The Duke seems to be in the habit of being a significant contributor of headaches for the family and many have run out of patience with him.”
