Prince William’s subtle swipe at Andrew amid scandal
The Prince of Wales appeared to take a thinly-veiled jab at his scandal-plagued uncle during a recent Q&A session.
IN LONDON
Prince William has appeared to take a subtle jab at the scandal surrounding his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, while speaking to reporters in Brazil as part of his environmental initiative.
During an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour as part of The Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly amid his week long trip to Brazil, the future King was asked about his candid recent appearance on Eugene Levy in Prime Video’s The Reluctant Traveller.
During his interview with Levy, William said: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good. And I embrace that and I enjoy that change — I don’t fear it.”
Referencing those comments, Amanpour asked what he has planned, “given there has been a lot of change in your family recently.”
“I think the Earthshot Prize is a classic example of change. Rather than talk about it, we’re doing it. That’s where I want it to be, is that, these people in here are the true, actual heroes of our time. Change will come by backing them, not by what I do,” William answered diplomatically.
“I want to surround myself with people who want to make change and do good in the world.”
Amanpour then asked: “Is that what you meant when you told Eugene that you want your son to be proud of that kind of change?”
“Yeah, I think it’s really important,” William said. “Again, you have to provide leadership and a vision that there’s good things to come and that it’s not all negative. And for my children, particularly, knowing the planet’s going to be in a healthier, better state because of the brilliant people in this room is something that I love to tell them when they go to bed.”
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It follows another dramatic week in the headlines for the royal family, with King Charles delivering on his pledge to officially strip his brother of his HRH style and his “prince” title following recent and mounting public pressure.
On Wednesday, the monarch issued a letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm to formally change the status of the former Duke of York, who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
“The king has been pleased by letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince,’” read the notice published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
Another entry confirmed that Andrew had also been removed from the roll of peerage.
“The king has been pleased by warrant under his royal sign manual dated 30 October 2025 to direct his secretary of state to cause the Duke of York to be removed from the roll of the peerage with immediate effect,” it read.
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Letters patent refers to the legal document – issued as an “open letter” – which outlines the decision of the monarch, usually following ministerial consultation.
The King’s formal notice follows his statement, released via Buckingham Palace last Thursday, which stated that he would no longer use the title “prince” and will move out of the Royal Lodge.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he [Andrew] continues to deny the allegations against him,” it went on.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
It came amid outrage and renewed scrutiny amid the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl.
Prior to her death earlier this year, Ms Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, alleged that she’d had three sexual encounters with Andrew, including once when she was just 17, while she was being sex trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing and has also denied ever meeting Ms Giuffre.
In 2022, he settled a civil case she brought against him in the US for a reported $24 million, which came with no admission of liability.
It has been reported Andrew will move to the King’s Norfolk home of Sandringham, in England’s east, and that that any future accommodation will be privately funded by the King.
The BBC has reported that Andrew did not object to the King’s decision last week.
“The decision was made, and action taken, due to serious lapses in Andrew’s Judgement, it is understood,” reported the British public broadcaster.
Originally published as Prince William’s subtle swipe at Andrew amid scandal
