Moment Andrew was shunned by the Royals: An awkward exchange with William, an inappropriate grin and a joke at a funeral... the frosty atmosphere that says it all
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Prince Andrew was visibly shunned by the Royal family after the Duchess of Kent’s funeral yesterday. 

Although the Duke of York’s presence was anticipated, it was evident that certain individuals—especially Prince William along with his brother, the King—were reluctant to be seen in public conversations with him.

Andrew lingered awkwardly in the doorway of Westminster Cathedral as the rest of the party walked ahead to say their goodbyes. 

This situation arises amidst ongoing disclosures regarding Andrew’s association with the convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, a matter that resulted in the Duke resigning from his public roles six years ago.

Historian Andrew Lownie’s in-depth biography of Andrew, titled Entitled, has sent ripples through the Royal Family. Certain sections had to be omitted for legal reasons, with the author claiming they could potentially destabilize the monarchy.

At one instance yesterday, Andrew’s former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, leaned forward to converse with William, who briefly turned to respond, as did his wife Kate.

But it was clear the couple were far from keen to prolong the conversation, aside from pleasantries.

Indeed, for much of the time, the heir to the throne, jaw clenched, appeared decidedly uncomfortable.

In another moment, Prince Andrew attempted to engage his nephew in light conversation. William glanced at him but then deliberately faced forward, with a tight-lipped expression, while rubbing his nose and swaying on his heels.

Lip reader Jacqui Press shared with The Daily Mail insights into Andrew’s post-service exchanges, suggesting they included casual remarks like ‘The service was beautiful’ and ‘Aren’t we fortunate with the weather today’.

The Waleses made a notably quick exit after the King had got into the State Bentley, but not before His Majesty appeared to offer a few warm words to his daughter-in-law, who smiled and walked over, before kissing him on each cheek and curtsying.

As the King drove off, the Duchess of York was seen waving somewhat over-enthusiastically at his car, before also dropping a neat bob.

The disgraced Duke of York tried to engage in conversation with his nephew after the pair paid tribute to Katharine Kent in a service at Westminster Cathedral

The disgraced Duke of York tried to engage in conversation with his nephew after the pair paid tribute to Katharine Kent in a service at Westminster Cathedral

Prince Andrew was seen grinning and engaging in light conversation at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London

Prince Andrew was seen grinning and engaging in light conversation at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London 

Andrew, Charles and William at the funeral for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral

Andrew, Charles and William at the funeral for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral

Prince Andrew, meanwhile, exchanged some words with his sister, Princess Anne, thanked staff and headed off towards his car.

According to the lip reader, the Princess Royal told her brother, ‘Let’s walk this way’. Andrew later turned to Anne and said, ‘Shall [we] go that way and we can leave there?’ He later questioned, ‘Where is she? Oh, over there, is she coming?’

Elsewhere, he thanked the priests and later turned to a different attendee before questioning whether they had been introduced before, Press said.

He was forced to wait at the side of the building, fiddling with the tails of his morning coat, as his ex-wife continued to chat merrily on the steps.

It comes after a a body language expert claimed Prince Andrew and Prince William had a ‘very frosty’ exchange after the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday.

The disgraced Duke of York tried to engage in conversation with his nephew after the pair paid tribute to Katharine Kent in a service at Westminster Cathedral.

Andrew could be seen muttering a few words to William, who appears to decline to engage in the conversation and only gives a brief nod in response. 

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Prince William’s ‘non-verbal responses’ suggest a degree of ‘awkwardness’ between the pair. 

Prince Andrew and Prince William reportedly had a 'very frosty' exchange after the Duchess of Kent's funeral yesterday

Prince Andrew and Prince William reportedly had a ‘very frosty’ exchange after the Duchess of Kent’s funeral yesterday

She also described the expression on Prince Andrew’s face as he tried to chat to his nephew as a ‘smug-looking smile’. 

The Duke was given a prominent seat in the front row as he joined other members of the Royal Family for the private memorial for the wife of the late Queen’s cousin. 

Katharine, the wife of the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of September 4 aged 92.

Ms James said: ‘The Duke of York tries to engage his nephew in a good-humoured chat and all William’s non-verbal responses suggest awkwardness and a subliminal desire to reject the overtures, making this look like a very frosty transaction.

‘Andrew turns his head fully towards William to not only get his attention but seeming to want to coax a mirrored response that shows he has his attention, too. 

‘When he turns his face to the front he is wearing a smug-looking smile and he even turns back as though trying to gain a mirrored response from William.’ 

Ms James explained that the Prince of Wales uses a series of body language signals to suggest a lack of desire to communicate with his uncle. 

‘Firstly, he barely inclines his head in Andrew’s direction and then he seems to avoid eye contact, looking down or away,’ she said. 

Prince Andrew was sat in the front row, on the right hand side with Fergie. King Charles, Prince William and Catherine were in the front row of the middle block

Prince Andrew was sat in the front row, on the right hand side with Fergie. King Charles, Prince William and Catherine were in the front row of the middle block

‘There is the very exaggerated and prolonged rubbing of his nose with his fist to form a barrier to his mouth with this ‘act of distraction’. 

‘Lastly, there is a rising up then banging down onto his heels, which will often signal ‘subject closed’.

‘William is at some pains to appear polite despite potentially feeling compromised here, but he is clearly made uncomfortable and is perhaps relieved when he can return to the more solemn facial expression of mourning.’ 

Meanwhile, separate footage shows Prince Andrew sharing a joke with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the funeral. 

He also broke into laughter while standing next to Prince William, who looked visibly uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Andrew stepped down as a working royal over the scandal involving his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, but he still attends private family events.

The King, Prince William, Kate, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne were also among those paying tribute at the Catholic service at Westminster Cathedral.

The Duke of Kent followed closely behind his late wife’s coffin after the funeral as it was slowly carried outside and watched while it was placed inside the royal hearse.

Pictured: Prince Andrew arriving for the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral

Pictured: Prince Andrew arriving for the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral

Earlier, the Duke had entered the cathedral holding a walking stick in poignant scenes, surrounded by his family including his daughter Lady Helen Taylor.

But Buckingham Palace announced just two hours before the private family service began that Queen Camilla had pulled out as she recovers from acute sinusitis.

Among the other royals attending were Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence , the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Andrew with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson .

The Duke of Kent’s brother, Prince Michael of Kent, appeared frail and walked slowly using a stick as he made his way into the church for the funeral. 

He was accompanied by his wife Princess Michael of Kent, who was also using a stick.

With them was their daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor, and they led a large contingent of royals all dressed in black in mourning, including Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Sophie Windsor, with some of the party arriving together by bus.

Lady Helen Windsor, wearing a hat with tulle detail, joined her father, the Duke of Kent, followed by her brothers the Earl of St Andrews and Lord Nicholas Windsor.  

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said the guests were very moved by ‘the quietness and the grandeur combined together’ of the service.

Prince Andrew appeared to share a joke with the Duchess of Edinburgh at Katharine's funeral yesterday

Prince Andrew appeared to share a joke with the Duchess of Edinburgh at Katharine’s funeral yesterday 

He said: ‘The richness of the music, which was exceptional, but there were periods that were very quiet, very prayerful. 

‘And that combination…in a way reflected Lady Katharine’s life. Which was very quiet and very shy in many ways and yet [also combined] tremendous public service without ever seeking attention for herself.

‘She was a down to earth Yorkshire woman who knew how to serve and be part of the Royal Family without ever losing that care for people who were worse off and in difficulties. I think she expressed very well the kindness that is a good fruit of the Christian faith.

‘This was the first royal funeral celebrated in a Catholic Church for probably 300 years and the first time His Majesty has attended Mass in the cathedral.

‘I remember her very clearly being on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. She chose to work in a hospital with the most needy people, but also to have lots of fun as when you go to Lourdes it is a place of great spirit. 

‘I remember her sitting there outside having an ice cream, chatting to people going by. That’s where we saw that side of her, as well as the side that really wanted to serve and be helpful.

‘When we come to stand before God we will be judged on our kindness and she was a brimful of kindness and empathy. ‘

He also recalled the memorable Wimbledon final in which she comforted loser Jana Novotna.

‘I think that was a moment that captures her kindness and sensitivity but that was repeated many, many times in private,’ he said.

The service was conducted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales.

Personal elements of the ceremony included the participation of three of the Duchess’s grandchildren – Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor, Eloise Taylor and Albert Windsor – who read the Prayer of the Faithful.

The requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, is the first to be held for a member of the monarchy in modern British history and featured a Scottish bagpipe lament performed during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Windsor Castle in 2022.

A piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards played the lament – Sleep, Dearie, Sleep – while processing from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the Duchess’s coffin in the Nave and down the cathedral’s central aisle.

The late Queen’s funeral service in St George’s Chapel ended with a piper playing the same tune.

The choir and organist of Westminster Cathedral provided choral music, composed by Maurice Durufle.

The music included Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, selected by the Duchess as her favourite piece when she was on Desert Island Discs in 1990. 

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