Prince William grapples with Andrew, Coronation, and public scrutiny
Prince William has declared 2024 “the hardest year of my life,” citing the dual cancer diagnoses of his wife, Kate, and his father, King Charles.
But while the Prince of Wales frames the year as a personal trial, critics suggest the narrative is far more about him than the loved ones actually facing illness. Sympathy, it seems, is in short supply for anyone but William himself.
The drama escalates with his handling of the Prince Andrew saga. Reports suggest it was him not the King who brokered the deal allowing Andrew to retain Royal Lodge, he has occupied since 2003, despite Andrew’s notorious ties to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of requesting police investigations into Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.
The irony is now moving into Forest Lodge just down the road, placing himself in close proximity to the very relative he allegedly finds “uncomfortable.”
Palace insiders spin this as William’s “ruthless” strategy to modernise the monarchy, but critics argue that letting a figure accused of befriending traffickers remain in residence while sidelining survivors hardly counts as progress.
In 2023, reports also suggested William preferred living near the Duke of York rather than the Sussexes, who, by contrast, are recognised globally for their charitable work, advocacy on mental health, and outspoken critiques of institutional harm.
The logic of William’s year reads like a royal soap opera, he helps Andrew keep his mansion, moves in next door, claims discomfort at Andrew’s proximity, yet still favours him over the Sussexes.
Meanwhile, William’s role as a housing advocate sits in stark contrast with Forest Lodge tenants reportedly facing mould, leaks, and broken heating.
Just when he might have hoped for a quiet moment, Prince William finds himself grumbling over a deal he personally brokered.
He is apparently capable of unhappiness with his own handiwork. Instead of sipping cocktails on holiday, William is steeling himself to brief the press Andrew will not be receiving an invite to the coronation.
A coronation, mind you, that hasn’t even been scheduled yet because, well, there’s still a reigning monarch on the throne. Truly, no one suffers quite like him.
Meanwhile, the real life victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific sex trafficking operation remain little more than footnotes in the royal story.
The headlines aren’t about justice, accountability, or the survivors they’re about William. His discomfort. His “leadership.”