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    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Prince William Views the Andrew Problem as King Charles's "Mess," and He "Wanted It Cleaned Up on His Father's Watch"

    "William is king in all but name now."

    Amy Mackelden's avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 3 November 2025 In News

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    Prince Andrew laughs with King Charles, as Prince William looks awkward
    (Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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    The Royal Family made some major changes over the past week, with the former Duke of York relinquishing his titles and becoming known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Multiple reports have suggested that Prince William played a "role" in his uncle's demotion. Now, sources have alleged that the Prince of Wales knew how important fixing the Andrew issue was for the Royal Family and its future.

    According to the Daily Beast, sources close to Prince William claimed that he was instrumental in King Charles's official statement regarding Andrew's demotion. "Charles has been trying and failing to get Andrew out of Royal Lodge for the past three years," the source claimed. "William did it in two weeks. William is king in all but name now."

    Meanwhile, a former palace courtier told the outlet that the ongoing scandal has had a detrimental impact on King Charles, who has been left "utterly exhausted" by the fiasco.

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    King Charles talking to Prince Andrew while wearing Order of the Garter robes

    King Charles has been left "utterly exhausted" by the fiasco.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    A source also told the outlet that Prince William was allegedly "dismayed" by the previous, much softer deal regarding Andrew, which only removed the Duke of York moniker. As Andrew had formerly been granted the right to continue living at Royal Lodge and still be referred to as a prince, William allegedly feared future repercussions.

    The Daily Beast suggested, per sources, that William ultimately viewed the Andrew problem as his "father's mess" to deal with. The outlet explained, "William has long grasped that the monarchy has been held hostage by Andrew's scandal and knew a ransom would have to be paid...Andrew walked away from the royals with a deal worth 'millions.'"

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    Prince Andrew, King Charles and Prince William in suits at the Duchess of Kent's funeral

    "William is king in all but name now."

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    While Andrew's move from Royal Lodge is likely to take some time, the Prince of Wales will reportedly be relieved that the scandal has been handled, once and for all.

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    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

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    Prince William Prince Andrew King Charles
    Amy Mackelden
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    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

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