Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is facing challenging times, along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. On October 30, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles III has initiated formal proceedings to remove Andrew’s titles and honors following new disclosures about Andrew and Ferguson’s email exchanges with the late Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of Andrew’s involvement with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. Additionally, Andrew is being asked to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. The palace statement emphasized, “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,” as noted in the official statement.

It’s not just King Charles who seems to have grievances against Andrew. Rumors suggest that Kate Middleton, known for her strained relationships with Prince Harry’s partners, also had issues with Andrew. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest Andrew disliked Kate from their first meeting, sparking mutual disdain. This animosity was further highlighted by royal biographer Andrew Lownie, who in his 2025 book “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” claimed Andrew made derogatory remarks about his nephew’s wife, suggesting Kate’s influence might be behind his royal downfall.

The adage “comparison is the thief of joy” seems fitting for Andrew, who reportedly was unwelcoming to Kate when Prince William first introduced her to the royal family. “My source said Andrew was rude to Kate,” royal biographer Andrew Lownie shared with Fox News. “He may have felt that Kate wasn’t aristocratic enough for William. Although this is speculative, no one criticizes Kate Middleton. She’s perceived as a savior of the royal family. Andrew tends to be envious of others.” Royal author Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly that Andrew’s poor judgment of character likely fueled his resentment towards Kate’s rising prominence.

As the old saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Sadly, it appears Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor learned that lesson the hard way. The story goes that Andrew was less than inviting to his nephew’s girlfriend — and eventual wife — when Prince William first brought her around the royal family. “My source said Andrew was rude to Kate,” royal biographer Andrew Lownie told Fox News. “And I think he was probably rude because he’s a real snob. He may have felt that Kate wasn’t aristocratic enough to marry William. While I can only speculate, no one has a harsh word to say about Kate Middleton. She’s been the savior of the royal family. Andrew gets jealous of people.” Meanwhile, royal author Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly that “Andrew has never been a great judge of character, so it’s not surprising that he would resent someone as stellar as Kate eclipsing him and pretty much everyone else in the monarchy.”

It appears that Andrew wasn’t only jealous of Kate’s popularity with the public, but also her popularity with his own mother. “All the more daunting for Andrew was his displacement as his mother’s ‘golden boy’ since he was viewed as Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite,” royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “His resentment grew with his plummeting popularity and was then further exacerbated by Kate’s prominence and poise.”

As one can imagine, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ever-increasing scorn for Kate Middleton proved to be a tipping point for Prince William. “Prince William was infuriated,” Hilary Fordwich told Fox News. “Being fiercely protective, he instituted a zero-tolerance policy toward any wayward behavior or scandals involving Prince Andrew.”

When it finally came time for King Charles to kick his brother to the royal curb, both William and Kate backed the king fully. On October 27, days before Charles stripped Andrew of his style, title, and honours, royal expert Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that William wasn’t happy with his father’s “kid gloves approach” as it pertained to Andrew. “Prince William and the whole royal family are fully supportive of King Charles taking a stronger stance against his brother. William would prefer a swift, clean break with Prince Andrew before things decline further. He also hopes to shield the king from the damage.” Meanwhile, royal expert Ian Pelham Turner also weighed in, telling Fox News, “I believe there was not much love lost between [Kate] and Andrew, who allegedly spoke shamelessly about her to William, creating an angry confrontation between uncle and nephew to a point where Andrew’s fate was sealed.” 

So, yeah. Never go against the crown — or, in this case, Kate Middleton.