Royals split? Is Prince William at odds with family over Andrew treatment? | Palace Confidential

Royal Engagements and Public Appearances

• 🎯 Prince William and Princess Catherine were active in Scotland, participating in curling, weaving, and visiting a community pub to promote British industry and traditions.
• ✨ The couple displayed public affection (PDA) with a gentle back rub and hand-holding, which was noted as unusual for royals and helped to dispel rumors about their marriage.
• 👑 King Charles and Queen Camilla undertook engagements, with Camilla focusing on literacy efforts and visiting a domestic abuse center, even being immortalized in the Bino comic strip.
• 💡 William was observed holding Catherine's tartan coat during an engagement, a rare sight that highlighted their operating as a couple.

Prince Andrew's Status and Family Divisions

• 📊 Prince Andrew has a very low approval rating (3%) in recent polls, reflecting the irreparable damage he has caused to the royal family's image.
• 🏡 He is reportedly engaging with the process of moving out of Royal Lodge, a "massive comedown" to a more modest home in Norfolk, with a deadline before his 66th birthday.
• 🧸 His famous 70-strong teddy bear collection has been "whittled down" and dispersed, with only his monkey teddy retained, which he used to test cleaning staff.
• 💬 There are suggestions of internal family disagreement regarding Andrew's treatment, with Princess Anne and Prince Edward reportedly feeling it's too harsh, while Prince William and Queen Camilla are said to believe it's not harsh enough.
• ⚠️ Princess Eugenie has reportedly cut off all contact with her father, disappointed by his lack of public apology to Jeffrey Epstein's victims, though other reports suggest they are still in touch but keeping a low profile.

Royal Family Dynamics and Succession

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Prince William has largely left the difficult decisions regarding Andrew to King Charles, not wanting to engage with the situation himself.
• 👑 Hypothetical discussions arose about William's ability to abdicate the throne for his minor children, with the consensus being it would be catastrophic for the hereditary monarchy.
• 📜 Historically, if William had been a child when the Queen died and Charles was not around, Prince Andrew would have been regent, a prospect now seen as a "lucky escape."

Other Royal News and Insights

• ⚖️ Prince Harry is currently in the UK for a privacy trial against Associated Newspapers, alleging illegal news gathering activities.
• 👶 Flora Vesterberg, Princess Alexandra's great-grandchild, has announced she is expecting her first child, bringing happy news to a more distant branch of the royal family.
• 👏 A King's Guard soldier was highlighted as an "unsung royal hero" after an incident where his horse bolted and fell on him, emphasizing the tough and serious side of their ceremonial role.