Last week, Andrew announced he was giving up all his royal title and honours

Asubtle but telling choice of words in Prince Andrew’s recent statement about his royal title has sparked speculation about behind-the-scenes royal pressure, particularly from Prince William.

On Friday (October 17) evening, Prince Andrew announced via Buckingham Palace that he would no longer use his Duke of York title or remaining honours following discussions with King Charles and the wider royal family.

The decision came just days before the release of Andrew’s accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir. She wrote the memoir before her death. She took her own life in April.

The book is expected to cast renewed scrutiny on Andrew’s alleged involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Ms Giuffre alleged that she was made to sleep with Prince Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.

Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him.

Last week, Prince Andrew announced he would no longer use his Duke of York title (Credit: Cover Images)

Prince William may have had ‘pointed words’ with Prince Andrew

But it’s not just the timing of Andrew’s decision to give up his title that’s raised eyebrows. Royal commentator Jennie Bond believes the language used in Andrew’s statement hints at significant pressure from within The Firm, specifically from both the king and the Prince of Wales.

Speaking to Sky News, Bond pointed to Andrew’s choice of the word “we” in the statement as unusually revealing.

“I am struck by the use of the pronoun ‘we’,” she noted. “This is a clear indication that extreme pressure has been put on Prince Andrew to do the decent thing and fall on his sword. If he hadn’t… he would have been pushed very firmly onto it.”

Bond suggested that Prince William played a more active role behind the scenes than the statement lets on. She described him as a quiet but forceful influence pushing Andrew toward the decision.

“I think there have been some pointed words. Between Charles and I think William, very much in the background, putting pressure on Andrew to do what most of us would see as the decent thing,” she added.

Experts believe that William may have been a driving force behind the decision (Credit: Cover Images)

Prince Andrew to stop using royal titles

In the official announcement last week, Prince Andrew said: “In discussion with the king, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.”

He also referenced stepping down from public duties over five years ago.

Andrew continued: “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.”

This is a clear indication that extreme pressure has been put on Prince Andrew to do the decent thing and fall on his sword.

Finally, he insisted the decision was rooted in a sense of loyalty: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”

According to The Times, William has long been dissatisfied with how the monarchy has handled “the Andrew problem”. He is reportedly planning to take an even firmer stance when he becomes king.

The report alleges that under William’s reign, Andrew may be fully “banned” from all royal life. Not only public duties but also private royal events, including future coronations.

Royal Insider has contacted reps for the Prince of Wales for comment.