EXCLUSIVE: PRINCE WILLIAM ‘CONCERNED’ ABOUT UNCLE ANDREW — And What It Reveals About His Future as King

Prince Andrew and Prince William at Duchess of Kent's funeral

The Prince of Wales, 41, has long been said to have taken a “firmer stance” against his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

rince William will be “concerned” about his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on a “personal level” following his arrest, a royal expert has claimed.

The Prince of Wales, 41, admitted he is “not in a very calm state” at the moment when asked if he had watched the film Hamnet during the BAFTA awards on Sunday, though the Prince and Princess of Wales have not commented publicly on the arrest.

Speaking to HELLO! in the aftermath, royal expert Phil Dampier said his comments have wider implications for his role as future King and how it may differ from the reign of his father, King Charles.

He explained: “It’s often said that William is very much the driving force, or certainly encouraging the King to act decisively, where Andrew has been concerned behind the scenes. First of all, saying he should have been stripped of his titles and chucked out of Royal Lodge. But I think on a human level, he will be very concerned for his uncle’s mental well-being.

“He may feel that he’s done wrong and brought it on himself, but he will still be mindful of the effect all this is having on the King and his health. William’s taken a great interest in mental health, as shown by his radio appearance the other day. He’s got a relationship with his uncle, and he’s always got on well with Beatrice and Eugenie. He will be hoping by the time he comes to the throne, this Andrew thing will have been resolved.”

What will William be like as King?

Phil added that, when it comes to ruling, William will likely take after his late mother, Princess Diana, as both come across as “warm and approachable” when meeting members of the public.

“He interacts with people very well, I think he gets that from his mother,” Phil said. “She was the one who started the touchy-feely approach of getting down with the public. Having said all that, he’s extremely protective of his family. He’s quite ruthless and strong, especially with the media running stories about his family.”

William admitted he hasn't been in a 'calm state' © Getty Images for BAFTA
William admitted he hasn’t been in a ‘calm state’

“I think William will attempt to send out messages and put down markers quite early on in his reign as to how he’s going to do things, whether he sweeps away a lot of traditions, or whether he hopefully doesn’t overdo that.”

Nick Ede, a brand and culture expert, added: “I think William is showing he’s a human being. His family is being torn apart from the inside, and the whole world has watched it. I think we will see him as a ruler who is as honest and transparent as possible and as relatable too.”

What has Prince William said about Andrew?

Prince William and Kate have not publicly commented since Andrew was arrested at Sandringham on his 66th birthday last week. They are understood to have supported a statement released by King Charles, which expressed his “deep concern” and added: “Let me be clear: the law must take its course.”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor walking with Prince William © UK Press via Getty Images
William reportedly wanted Andrew to be exiled from all aspects of family life

Previously, William and Kate said they were “deeply concerned” following the latest details concerning Andrew’s friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sources later went further with one friend telling HELLO!: “Everyone knows William’s feelings about his uncle. He’s never had a close relationship with him.” Previously, royal biographer Andrew Lownie said Prince William is “more ruthless” when it comes to matters surrounding his uncle.

Bestselling author Andrew Lownie, who wrote Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, revealed on HELLO!‘s A Right Royal Podcast: “I don’t know, I mean, this is some way off, I hope. So I just don’t know. But he is certainly much more ruthless in dealing with Andrew, and of course, as the precedent, the Duke of Windsor attended neither the wedding of the Queen [Elizabeth II] nor the [1953] coronation.”

William was consulted alongside his father, King Charles, on the decision that led to Andrew relinquishing his titles, although HELLO! understands that the Prince wanted his father to take a firmer stance. Meanwhile, an awkward exchange between William and Andrew was captured on camera at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral last September.