Prince William’s ‘ruthless streak’ revealed: Kept Welby at arm’s length
Prince William appeared uneasy with Andrew at a recent funeral and has maintained distance from Beatrice and Eugenie, citing concerns over public image. He has also reportedly distanced himself from the Church under Welby's tenure, preferring to build ties with new leadership.
When Prince William recently spoke about his commitment to the Church of England and his “quiet faith”, it may have been viewed as a slight towards former Archbishop Justin Welby.
Sarah Mullally was installed last month as the 106th spiritual head of the Church, with William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, in attendance.
However, royal experts claim William had distanced himself from the Church during Welby’s tenure, reportedly due to Welby’s close relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
‘Wall of silence and claims of grudges’
Speaking on Times Radio, Roya Nikkhah said Welby’s team tried for years to arrange meetings with William but faced a “wall of silence”.
She added, “William is someone who does hold a grudge; he does choose sides. If someone picks the other side, he remembers that.”
Harry and Meghan had reportedly sought guidance from Welby. In their 2021 interview, Meghan claimed he had married them privately before their official wedding, a claim later denied.
'Experts defend William’s ‘ruthless streak’
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said William’s tough approach is necessary.
“William is our future king. Thank goodness he has a ruthless streak…,” Fitzwilliams was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail, adding that the Prince is a strong judge of character and skilled diplomatically.
He argued that William was right to keep Welby “at arm’s length” and instead build ties with Sarah Mullally, who may one day crown him.
'Fallout with journalist Tom Bradby'
The report further stated that journalist Tom Bradby, once close to William, is also said to have fallen out with him.
Bradby had interviewed William and Catherine during their engagement in 2010. However, tensions rose after he interviewed Harry and Meghan during their 2019 Africa tour and later spoke to Harry about his memoir.
An expert said William saw this as a betrayal and has since cut off contact.
'Continuing rift with Harry and Meghan'
William and Catherine have reportedly not met Harry and Meghan since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
“The brothers are not thought to have spoken since then,” an expert said, adding that William believes their actions after stepping down as working royals damaged the monarchy.
“This was appalling, and he rightly has not forgotten or forgiven what was both damaging and outrageous.”
'Firm stance on Prince Andrew'
William is also said to have taken a strong line against his uncle, Prince Andrew, amid ongoing controversies.
At a recent funeral, William reportedly appeared uncomfortable with Andrew’s behaviour and told him it was “not a good look”. Catherine was also seen keeping her distance from Sarah Ferguson.
‘Concerns over Beatrice and Eugenie’
Experts say William has never been close to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
He is said to be concerned about their public image and may, in future, consider limiting their use of royal titles.
He had also urged financial “ethics” checks, though these were declined.
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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