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A brief but tense moment between Prince William and his uncle Prince Andrew is going viral — weeks after the exchange occurred. The resurfaced clip, originally filmed last month at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, shows an awkward exchange between the two royals and has reignited conversation about the family’s ongoing rift, particularly in light of Andrew’s recent decision to step away from using his royal titles. The footage was shared by English journalist Chris Ship, who posted it to X (formerly Twitter) with a caption describing the uncomfortable interaction. “As family bid farewell after yesterday’s royal Catholic funeral for the Duchess of Kent, Prince Andrew appears to want to strike up conversation with his nephew & says something he finds funny … William has no desire to respond. In fact, he doesn’t say a single word…” In the short clip, the two men are seen standing shoulder to shoulder outside the church. Andrew appears to turn toward William, attempting to speak, while William remains stone-faced, refusing to engage. The body language is unmistakably chilly, and for many viewers, the silence said more than words ever could. A Frosty Moment Between Nephew and Uncle Social media users were quick to comment on the apparent tension, with many speculating that the heir to the throne wanted nothing to do with his embattled uncle. The video has been viewed 3.8 million times as of Tuesday, October 21, with commenters saying things like, “sometimes silence is the sharpest response,” and, “He’s persona non grata.” The strained exchange comes as the royal family continues to navigate its public image following years of controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. Once considered one of the Queen’s most dependable children, the Duke of York has spent the past several years under intense scrutiny due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While Andrew has consistently denied all allegations made against him, he stepped back from public life in 2019 and was stripped of most of his honorary military titles in 2022. Still, the fallout has been difficult for the royal family — particularly for Prince William, who has reportedly advocated for minimizing Andrew’s role in royal events. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Andrew Officially Steps Away From Titles The resurfaced video comes just days after Buckingham Palace announced a significant development in Prince Andrew’s royal standing. On October 17, the palace released a joint statement with Andrew confirming that he will no longer use his royal titles or honors, a move that marks another step in his retreat from public life. The statement read: “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. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.” He 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. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.” The decision was seen by royal watchers as both a strategic and symbolic move — signaling that King Charles and Prince William are intent on protecting the monarchy’s reputation, even if it means distancing themselves further from Andrew. While the Duke’s statement emphasized his ongoing loyalty to the Crown, public sentiment remains largely critical. Many interpreted the funeral video as yet another sign of the internal divide that has long simmered beneath the surface of the royal family.
