Prince William‘s diplomatic outburst about his own mental health at the BAFTAs was a sign of his deep ‘frustration’ over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, fears for his father’s health and his desire to say more.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are clearly ‘itching’ to further publicly distance themselves more from the future king’s errant uncle, a royal source has said.
The couple are also becoming increasingly concerned about the impact Andrew’s arrest is having on the King’s health as he continues to fight cancer, another well-placed source claimed.
‘He is exhausted and it’s draining for him’, they said.
William last night admitted he was ‘not in a calm state’ as the extraordinary Andrew drama engulfs the Royal Family, with some claiming the future of the institution is in peril.
Police searches continue at Royal Lodge, Windsor, today while Andrew remains on bail, and in hiding, at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.
Making his first public appearance since the sensational arrest of his uncle, Prince William accompanied wife Kate to the Bafta awards in London.
William and Kate are worried about the impact Andrew’s arrest will have on the King’s health
The Princess of Wales and her husband are ‘itching’ to say more to distance themselves from Andrew
Andrew was arrested last week, sparking a crisis for him and for the wider Royal Family
Their glamorous appearance signalled a determination to put the Royal Family’s difficulties to one side, but it appeared that issues around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were not far from William’s mind.
‘William is frustrated because it’s still likely to be a problem on his plate when he eventually becomes King’, a royal insider has told the Daily Mail today.
‘I’m sure the Prince and Princess of Wales have been itching to say something publicly to distance themselves but they have to be cautious because of the police investigation.
‘I think William and Kate are acutely aware that this is a scandal that won’t be going away for a long time. ‘It’s a mess left by Andrew and the late Queen and, although His Majesty is very much in charge, William is frustrated’.
William was clearly very happy to have his wife by his side.
Kate told Bafta members last night that unlike her husband, she had watched Hamnet on Saturday night and was left in ‘floods of tears’.
‘I thought it was a bad idea, actually,’ the princess joked about watching the story of the tragic death in childhood of William Shakespeare’s son.
‘I ended up with very puffy eyes.’
Kate recycled one of her favourite rose-coloured Gucci dresses, finished off with a maroon belt – while William donned a matching blazer.
‘The Princess looked so elegant but you can see that this is all causing strain and that’s the last thing she needs’, the Mail’s source said.
And while the Princess remained silent on the ongoing issues involving Andrew, royal sources have said the couple’s main concerns surround the health of the King, who is still battling cancer.
A second source told the Daily Mail: ‘Obviously William is not feeling calm and he would have spoken on behalf of them both.
‘It’s a terrible situation and they are very concerned about the health of the King and the impact this will be having on him. He is exhausted and it’s draining for him.
‘Also as parents of young children, to be reading all of this is pretty awful and they are clearly concerned.
‘William let this slip out last during a conversation and he would have done that on purpose, that is very clear. But Catherine has kept very quiet.’
The Prince and Princess’ appearance at the BAFTA’s last night comes amid calls for the King to reveal how much he knew about Andrew’s alleged misconduct prior to his arrest over allegations of misconduct in public office.
The Mail on Sunday revealed over the weekend that the monarch was warned that the Royal Family’s name was being ‘abused’ by his younger brother’s business associates.
In an unprecedented statement following Andrew’s arrest, Buckingham Palace confirmed the King’s ‘wholehearted support and co-operation’ with the investigation.
The King pictured at church yesterday
Police arrive to search Royal Lodge Windsor for a third day
Join the debate
Should more transparency be demanded from the Palace?
The King’s statement added: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.’
William and Kate are understood to support the King’s statement.
King Charles has said he will grant police access to all files and records necessary for any investigations into his disgraced brother.
The arrest came after Thames Valley Police said it was ‘assessing’ reports that Andrew shared confidential trade reports and investment opportunities to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011 when he was the UK’s special trade envoy in Asia.
Andrew was questioned for 11 hours straight following his arrest and was pictured slumped in a Range Rover on his way out of Aylsham Police Investigation Centre.
He was taken from Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk where he was placed after he was evicted from his Windsor residence Royal Lodge by King Charles earlier this month.
Police searched Wood Farm and are now searching the seven bedroom mansion Royal Lodge as part of the investigation.
Police now have a wide leeway to broaden their investigation if they find any other crimes when combing the former prince’s files and possessions and will ‘follow the evidence’, The Observer reported.
