Prince William Wanted Ex-Prince Andrew Banished from Royal Fold Years Before King Stripped Titles

The Prince of Wales voiced concern to his father after Andrew's 2019 interview with the BBC about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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According to a new book, Prince William has been campaigning to oust the former Prince Andrew from the royal fold for years. The Prince of Wales voiced concern about Andrew's role within the royal family to King Charles in the wake of Andrew's 2019 BBC interview about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles ultimately stripped Andrew of his royal titles and honors in October 2025 amid renewed criticism.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions within the royal family over Prince Andrew's connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein and the efforts by Prince William to distance the monarchy from the scandal. It raises questions about the royal family's handling of controversies and the power dynamics between the different generations of the House of Windsor.

The details

In his new book, Russell Myers shares that Prince William spoke to his father, King Charles, in the wake of Andrew's 2019 BBC interview, asking Charles and Queen Elizabeth to take action against Andrew. A source said William's view was that Andrew "got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family." Despite Andrew stepping back from public royal duties, he continued to join the royals at family events, which William strongly opposed. Queen Elizabeth initially tried to protect her son, but King Charles ultimately stripped Andrew of his royal titles and honors in October 2025 amid renewed criticism.

  • In 2019, Prince Andrew gave a controversial BBC interview about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and patronages.
  • In October 2025, King Charles stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles and honors.
  • In April 2025, Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, died by suicide.

The players

Prince William

The Prince of Wales and the elder son of King Charles III, who has been campaigning to oust his uncle Prince Andrew from the royal fold for years.

King Charles III

The current monarch of the United Kingdom, who ultimately stripped his brother Prince Andrew of his royal titles and honors in October 2025.

Prince Andrew

The former Prince Andrew, who has faced controversy over his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein and was stripped of his royal titles and honors by his brother, King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth II

The late monarch who initially tried to protect her son Prince Andrew, but ultimately saw him stripped of his royal titles and honors by her successor, King Charles III.

Virginia Giuffre

The woman who had accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault and died by suicide in April 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William's future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes. He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in.”

— Source (The Mirror)

“The Prince of Wales was adamant the whole episode would never go away and, despite how others may have felt, there was absolutely no upside in Andrew being protected. His view was crystal clear: Andrew shouldn't be anywhere near the family under any circumstances, not by association, not at family functions, anywhere.”

— Palace source close to Prince William (The Mirror)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions within the royal family over Prince Andrew's connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein and the efforts by Prince William to distance the monarchy from the scandal. It raises questions about the royal family's handling of controversies and the power dynamics between the different generations of the House of Windsor.