The future King reportedly paused a major royal decision to spare his cousins more distress amid the York family’s ongoing controversy.
Prince William has reportedly stepped back from enforcing a royal ban on his uncle, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson following renewed scrutiny over their leaked email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke and Duchess of York’s ties to the royal family have been under pressure, with growing public calls for their exclusion from all official royal events.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond, writing for The i Newspaper, compared King Charles and William’s handling of the York family scandals. She noted that while both men are compassionate, William is focused on reform. “Andrew and Sarah may face serious consequences once William becomes King,” she wrote, suggesting his reign will bring decisive change.
Speaking on The Reluctant Traveler, the Prince of Wales said, “It’s safe to say that change is on my agenda—change for good. I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it.”
Bond added that despite his reformist mindset, William’s close relationship with his cousins might make him reconsider any move that would deeply affect them. “Banishing or humiliating Andrew and Fergie would cause the sisters further hurt,” she explained. “That’s a tough nut for William to crack.”
For now, it appears compassion has prevailed over royal protocol, giving Beatrice and Eugenie a brief moment of relief in an otherwise tense family chapter.
