King Charles and Prince William weren’t the only ones behind the decision to strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles and privileges.

According to palace insiders, both Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton played a significant role, adding what one source described as “a female touch” to a decision aimed at restoring the monarchy’s credibility.

A Long-Awaited Decision

The announcement came on Thursday, October 30, when Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew would lose his remaining royal honors and his residence at Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he shared with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. From now on, he would be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and live at Sandringham Estate.

Though issued under King Charles’ authority, the move followed years of public criticism over Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. According to sources, the King was “exasperated” and had “given Andrew many chances to do the right thing.” Yet, he reportedly found the decision painful, preferring that Andrew take responsibility himself rather than force the monarchy’s hand.

A Family Push for Action

Despite their strained relationship, Charles still felt affection for his brother, but insiders revealed that “other forces” within the family pushed him to act. Both Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales reportedly played key roles, with Prince William also pressing for a final resolution.

“It was a family decision,” one palace insider said. “There would have been a push from Camilla and Catherine.” Another source added that William “did not want to inherit the headache.”

The “Female Touch” in the Palace Statement

Observers noted a more compassionate tone in the official palace statement, widely seen as reflecting Queen Camilla’s influence. It concluded:

“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.”

An insider told People magazine, “I sensed a female touch. It was quite strong, and I was proud when I heard it,” referencing Camilla’s long-standing work advocating for victims of gender violence.

According to The Telegraph, Camilla had expressed privately that Andrew’s ongoing association with Epstein was undermining her advocacy. She reportedly voiced these concerns directly during family discussions, aware that her credibility was at stake.

Understanding Public Sentiment

A former courtier noted that both the King and Queen are acutely aware of public opinion:

“They know that without the trust of the public, they don’t have the agency to do their job.”

Behind the scenes, the process of removing Andrew’s privileges was slow. “Andrew had been dragging his heels,” one source explained. “It took time to finalize everything because it was complex. But the King knew when enough was enough.”

That moment came when Andrew’s scandal began to erode confidence in the monarchy itself. “They could see that trust in the institution was being impacted,” another insider said.

A Painful but Necessary Step

Prince Andrew’s downfall was cemented in 2022, when he reached an out-of-court settlement with a woman who accused him of taking advantage of her at age 17.

In the end, while the decision formally rested with King Charles, palace sources agree it bore the unmistakable influence of two women—Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton—who understood the delicate balance between compassion and duty, ensuring the monarchy could begin to heal its image once again.