Prince William has privately pressed for a tougher line against Prince Andrew, urging greater transparency and an end to what he views as institutional protection surrounding his uncle's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports citing sources close to the royal household.
The Prince of Wales, who is preparing for his future role as king, has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Prince Andrew's continued refusal to cooperate with U.S. authorities, including the FBI, over allegations linked to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Those allegations have been denied by Prince Andrew, but the controversy continues to weigh on the monarchy's public standing.
A source quoted by Heatworld described Prince William as having reached a breaking point, saying: "He's outraged that Andrew has been dragging his feet over speaking to the FBI, and he's demanding he cooperate fully with authorities and let the truth come out, wherever it leads." The source added that, in William's view, "if there's nothing to hide, then there should be no hesitation in answering questions or cooperating with investigators, including overseas."
The reported tension highlights a broader generational divide within the royal family over how to handle scandal and accountability. Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 following a BBC interview widely criticized for its handling of questions about Epstein. Since then, he has sought to maintain a low profile while contesting claims against him.
According to the same Heatworld source, Prince William has also questioned recent decisions by King Charles III regarding Andrew's living arrangements. The Prince of Wales reportedly does not understand why his uncle was moved to another royal property after being evicted from Royal Lodge, viewing the relocation as an implicit form of protection that could undermine efforts to restore public trust.
"William feels like every time he turns around, there's another story that makes the whole situation look even murkier," the source said. "He's furious that Andrew keeps insisting he's innocent yet refuses to do the one thing that would actually help his case, which is to cooperate fully."
Beyond Epstein-related scrutiny, Prince Andrew has faced renewed attention over past financial dealings, including the sale of his former home, Sunninghill Park, to a Kazakh billionaire. Media reports have raised questions about the source of funds used in the transaction, further complicating the duke's efforts to rehabilitate his image.
Those accumulating controversies have reportedly heightened Prince William's concern about the long-term reputational damage to the monarchy, particularly as public expectations around transparency and accountability have shifted.
At the same time, reports suggest Prince Andrew may be contemplating a return to dating, despite his ongoing legal and reputational challenges. A source quoted by Closer said: "He's even talking about how he wants to get back to dating." Another source added: "The royals will be relieved to see him go, but they'll also be worrying about what he might get up to once he's off and operating completely on his own terms."
