Optics Check: Waleses public support for Andrew: William and Catherine’s driving and embracing Andrew is a massive error?

[Foxypuppy]

Are the Waleses and the Andrew Unity Drive A bridge too far? Seriously, why were William and Catherine protecting Andrew?

I’ve always been a supporter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, but I am finding it harder and harder to defend their recent excuses and petty behavior regarding 'family unity'.

Specifically, I’m looking at the optics of William personally driving Prince Andrew to church at Balmora Daily Mail report here

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12449837/Prince-William-drives-disgraced-uncle-Prince-Andrew-church-Balmoral.html

This wasn't just a family carpool; it was a deliberate, televised statement of support. William was in the driver's seat, Andrew in the passenger seat, and Catherine in the back.

At the same time, we have royal commentators like Jennie Bond stating that William and Catherine would 'rather have Andrew as a neighbour than Meghan and Harry. Independent article here

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/william-kate-meghan-harry-frogmore-b2295732.html.

I understand that family dynamics are complicated and that they feel betrayed by the Sussexes' interviews. However:

1. Harry and Meghan are a family feud involving books and Netflix deals, though they couldnt protect Meghan against racism, not even make an statement
2. Prince Andrew is a man associated with Jeffrey Epstein, impliyed in e-mails to ne object in the death of a girl, hes a well known liar and with multi-million dollar settlement alongside much other bizarre stuff.

How can William and Catherine justify being part of the face of Andrew’s rehabilitation even after he was impliyed while being so publicly cold toward William’s own brother? Does anyone else feel like their moral compass is slightly off here? Surely a sister-in-law isn't worse than the Andrew crimes? Why he royal family and media even tried to protect him and only acted this year?

Is there a reputable source for that?

Agree with you and @SirChenjins - it's clear to see

Where on Earth does W laugh with AMW?
Even AMW looks awkward and sheepish when W doesn't engage in conversation.

I don't think William is engaging with Andrew at the funeral. He's not stupid, he knows it would not be a good look.

However, is it just a mumsnet rumour that Charles directed William to drive Andrew? Because I have not seen that anywhere, but here. I don't believe it for one minute, besides which, he could just say NO, I will not do that. It's not like they are short of cars!

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/king-charles-overruled-prince-william-33677114.amp

Other articles are available.

First time I've heard of this. William could have said NO. KC can obviously direct him on official business. But not driving someone in a car. Pathetic. Other articles say Charles 'suggested'. But 'ordering' William to do this sounds much better for William doesn't it.

Remember, there's a pecking order.

@SirChenjins

What rubbish

Firstly ‘pecking order’ re a middle aged man and an elderly man is comical. And do not start with the’protocol’ nonsense - that was revealed to be the bullshit we all knew it was years ago . Not ‘protocol’ to hug people etc - suddenly the Windsors started awkwardly hugging thinking it would bring them more popularity.
But that’s a trivial example .

Where was ‘pecking order’ considerations when William was late for Charles’ pantomime - sorry coronation ? William repeatedly snubs Charles, but when Andrew is involved suddenly the rage monster we are told William is, meekly does as he’s told . Nonsense .

The fact remains all the Windsors have known for years - decades probably - about Andrew and Epstein and more no doubt and the little they are doing now is distraction and window dressing.

I used to think the Windsors were a childish show for the easily amused.

Now I know they are sinister and corrupt .
They covered up what they knew about Andrew and they are still protecting him. Andrew was filmed only yesterday driving around the crown estate - our estate

Andrew should be investigated and our so called head of state and head of the Church of England and his family should be setting an example .
Instead they hide away .

William repeatedly snubs Charles, but when Andrew is involved suddenly the rage monster we are told William is, meekly does as he’s told . Nonsense

^^ This. You cannot tell me that if William and Kate said to Charles... we are not going to be in the firing line for this - driving Andrew to church, Charles would not have backed down. Of course he would!

And one paper like the Mirror puts out this story, and all the rags jump on it embellishing it as Charles 'ordered' William. As if!

And Andrew driving round a royal estate waving to a woman pushing a buggy was honestly vomit inducing.

Agree with all this.

And I too have only seen the suggestion that a middle-aged man was forced to drive his scandalous uncle against his will by boss Papa here on MN.

ETA - Ah, there's a link.

Guess they felt they had to put some kind of manipulative PR out about it.

William could have said no to driving Andrew. He isn’t a child and doesn’t do things he doesn’t want to in other circumstances despite pressure, like declare tax.

As for the funeral, he did smirk, then put his hand to his nose to cover it. I remember at the time someone on here saying something like, if Andrew said something funny, then it is involuntary to smile, laugh or smirk. I just thought that there is nothing Andrew could say that I would find funny because I would be so repulsed by him near me.

I would like to think that William has no time for Andrew and is as repulsed as any decent person is by him, but the royals seem to operate in a different way to normal people. They’ve covered up for him for years, his mother paid off his victim and they did the minimum until their hand was forced to strip titles etc and only when they realised it was all going to come out.

William DGAF and is only concerned with polishing his increasingly poor image and protecting his millions.

I find it revealing that they think fussing around with meaningless ‘titles’ is
a. Punishment
b. Enough to satisfy public outrage

If Andrew wasn’t protected by the Windsor cartel he’d be helping police with their enquiries .

So called head of state and head of a church and THIS is how they respond after evidence of a decades long close relationship with a convicted child abuser? Of course the have known for decades and are only acting now thanks to the bravery of accusers like Virginia Guiffre .

Tell me I’ve misheard and the taxpayer isn’t being told to fork out 45 million for a statue of Andrew’s chief protector , Elizabeth Windsor?!

Kate and William were also chatting and laughing with Fergie at the funeral when they would have known for years that she’s dodgy.

By this stage , if the rest of them hadn’t anything to hide , they’d have handed Andrew over to the authorities.

I think they haven’t because he’ll sing about the rest of them .

The Windsors are damaging to the UK and its image abroad . Damaging to our society too but that’s down the plughole already .

What rubbish
Firstly ‘pecking order’ re a middle aged man and an elderly man is comica

Ahh, but it's in Spare - so it must be true.

I do agree with your later post, and I suspect that's why all the Windsors are keeping schtum - and why the tell all book didn't tell all.

I do think they need to drop the never complain never explain mantra on this occasion .

They should make Andrew cooperate with with whichever authorities need to speak to him. I am sure they won't though, it speaks volumes when they think the worst punishment they can bestow upon him is taking away his titles and not serving prison time (potentially). The only plus side to this is that hopefully it will bring down the monarchy and all the hangers on sooner rather than later.

This seems to be a DARVO-type assertion. Where W&K are being accused of things they haven't done. On this thread, it started off with assertions of them being pally with AMW, but has now leaking into them being photographed with Epstein (and Catherine being photographed with someone who was once photographed with Epstein, hence she was in his circle).

I wonder who this DARVO-type strategy is intended to protect, or whether it is just the latest dirty PR mud-throwing.

Harry has provided full testimony to the existince of this pecking order (he called it " hirearchy"). His wife has provided testimony as to how bossy those above them in the hierarchy were.

Never mind a grown man being ordered to drive his uncle to church! I've heard - from someone with unimpeachable credentials - that this awful family insisted on choosing what colour tights she was allowed to wear.

Gotba pic of that? What I remember is K given Fergie her back.

How embarrassing a grown man being ordered to do something. He is the next heir no less...cringe, embarrassing, weak...

Here they are chatting and laughing together you could find this yourself quite easily

Thanks for posting those.

There is video footage on all the usual SM. It’s not difficult to find.