The Royal Story The Royal Story
Prince William is said to have had a strained relationship with his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor long before the controversies that later engulfed him.
According to the new biography William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, the Prince of Wales questioned Andrew’s value to the monarchy and privately regarded him as “a bit of an ignoramus.”
Based on privileged information from multiple palace insiders, the controversial new book provides fresh background and previously undisclosed details behind some of the most significant stories surrounding the Prince and Princess of Wales in recent years.
It also discloses that William insisted Andrew be removed from royal duties immediately before the rot set in, after details emerged about the former Duke of York’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The book explains that William had already been questioning Andrew’s activities well before the scandal emerged involving his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
The book also describes how William’s opinion of his uncle worsened after observing the way Andrew treated royal staff, including instances where he was reportedly demanding and dismissive toward employees.
A source explained: He’d seen how Andrew behaved in front of staff, ordering people about, the aggressive or dismissive manner, they’d never seen eye to eye. William, however, maintains a connection with his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but relations with Andrew and Sarah have remained strained.
The source further noted: William has a relationship with his cousins [Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie] … so he takes no umbrage with them, but there’s no love lost for Andrew or Sarah.
According to insiders, Andrew may have believed there was still a chance for a return to public life if media attention eventually faded, but this would only have been possible during his brother’s reign.
As the source added: In an alternate dimension, Andrew probably thought there would be a way back into public life if the scandal or the headlines died down, but it would have always had to be while his brother was King. William didn’t think either of them [Andrew or Sarah] should be anywhere near the family, publicly or otherwise, but he was overruled by his father.
The forthcoming revealing biography, now open for pre-orders, traces the journey of the Prince and Princess of Wales from their first meeting at St Andrews University up to the present, exploring how they have worked to shape their vision of a modern monarchy and ensure its stability during a period marked by significant change and uncertainty.
It marks the first joint biography of the Prince and Princess of Wales in over ten years, and it also underscores the couple’s strength and commitment while navigating difficult moments — from intense media criticism and controversies surrounding their 2022 Caribbean tour, to the shock caused by the cancer diagnoses of both the Princess and King Charles.
The book also shares previously unseen behind-the-scenes insight into how the Prince and Princess responded to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping back from royal duties, the development of the ‘Cambridge way,’ and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Myers explained that after nearly ten years covering the Prince and Princess of Wales as part of the royal press corps, he has always felt there is far more to the couple than what is publicly visible.
He added: I’ve spent almost a decade following The Prince and Princess of Wales as part of the Royal pack and have always believed there’s so much more to the couple than the spectacle reveals.
He further emphasized that the biography offers a deeply personal look at William and Catherine, going beyond surface-level coverage to reveal both their individual characters and the strength of their partnership, while also examining the challenges they face in a rapidly changing era.
As he concluded: The result of this biography is a truly intimate portrait of William and Catherine; providing not just unparalleled insight into who they are as individuals, but seismic revelations about them as a couple and the world they inhabit. This biography moves beyond the headlines as it explores love, resilience, and their journey together as they navigate their public duties amid this unprecedented era.
