A lip reader has claimed to uncover what Prince Andrew said to Prince William during a tense moment at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral — an exchange that reportedly left the Prince of Wales “furious.”
The duchess, known for her devout faith, was the first royal in more than 300 years to officially convert to Catholicism. She was laid to rest in a solemn Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, marking the first Catholic royal funeral in modern British history.
Among those present were King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton. The service also drew attention with the unexpected attendance of Prince Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.
A Strained Encounter Between Uncle and Nephew
Following the service, cameras captured an uncomfortable moment as Prince Andrew tried to engage his nephew in conversation.
The Duke of York was seen smiling and even chuckling, in stark contrast to the sombre mood of other royals. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman claimed Andrew said: “We had a lovely time in those days, didn’t we… I remember those days.”
Prince William, however, offered no reply. He kept his eyes fixed elsewhere, ignoring the comment entirely. The brief clip has since gone viral, with many noting William’s tense body language and refusal to acknowledge his uncle.
Royal Experts Say William Was ‘Furious’
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie told The Mirror that William’s reaction was no surprise.
“[William] was furious,” he said. “He has been at pains to distance himself from his uncle and not be photographed with him. He believes his father has not dealt with him with sufficient firmness, and that Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have done much to undermine the good work of other members of the royal family.”
A close friend of William echoed this sentiment to The Daily Beast, slamming the seating arrangement as a “disgrace” and accusing Andrew of “ambushing” William by sitting so near to him. They noted that the setup left William visibly embarrassed as photographs placed him alongside one of the monarchy’s most controversial figures.
Prince Andrew’s Ongoing Isolation
Prince Andrew has remained largely out of the spotlight since facing accusations of sexual assault from Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most high-profile accusers. Although Andrew has denied the allegations, the scandal — coupled with his friendship with Epstein — has severely damaged his reputation.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News that William has no plans to welcome Andrew back into royal life.
“Prince William has long had a strained and distant relationship with Andrew. He holds a grudge against his disgraced uncle. Andrew’s future within the royal family is beyond bleak,” she said.
Hilary added that once William takes the throne, Andrew’s exile will likely become permanent, explaining: “The future king will ensure Andrew is completely excluded from royal life.”