Prince William initiates Prince Andrew's royal patronage removal

In January 2022, Prince William took decisive action regarding his uncle, Prince Andrew, amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The Duke of York faced accusations from Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he assaulted her multiple times, including at locations linked to convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite Andrew's denials, he settled a civil suit with Giuffre for approximately £12 million, which raised concerns about the monarchy's reputation. William recognized the damaging implications of these events and felt compelled to address the situation. While the late Queen had a soft spot for Andrew, William believed she needed encouragement to take action. He expressed his concerns to her, understanding that she had to be the one to formally strip Andrew of his royal titles and military roles. This move was seen as necessary to protect the monarchy's image, especially as other family members were hesitant to confront Andrew directly. Ultimately, the Queen acted as the official face of Andrew's reckoning, marking a significant shift in the royal family's approach to handling scandals.