Prince William has to appear “cruel” when it comes to “saving the monarchy”, according to one royal expert. The Prince of Wales was previously reported to have “threatened” his cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with the loss of their royal titles if they did not encourage their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, to move out of Royal Lodge.

While Kensington Palace has denied the claims that any such meeting took place, it follows the statement from Prince Andrew that he would relinquish his remaining royal titles and honours with immediate effect. It was understood that the update was made with the King and the support of senior members of the Royal Family.

Writing in the Daily Mail, writer A.N. Wilson explained that William needs to take over the reins and appear “cruel”.

Speaking about the rumor, Mr Wilson said: “I am told that this rumor is categorically untrue but, even if this particular bit of the story has been misrepresented, there is no doubt that William is a tougher nut than his father.

“And it is no longer a matter of choice: He must be tough. Indeed, if he is to save the monarchy, he must even appear to be cruel.”

Prince William and Princess Kate are reportedly leading the way to get Andrew and Sarah out of Royal Lodge, which has been said as the home that they originally wanted prior to their move to Windsor.

According to royal biographer Tina Brown, William and Kate “can’t abide” Andrew.

Writing on her Fresh Hell Substack earlier this month, Ms Brown wrote: “Unless Andrew can be persuaded to banish himself to a cottage on the Balmoral estate or a cushy villa on a Dubai golf course, his scowly, jowly visage will keep seeping back into the national consciousness”.

She claims the couple are asking: “‘How do you disappear a 6-foot-tall, 190-pound, 65-year-old man in robust good health who has an iron-clad contract to live in the Queen Mother’s former mansion, a short neigh from Windsor Castle and just four miles from the new “forever” home of Prince William and Kate, who can’t abide him?'”

This comes as it has emerged that Andrew and Sarah have not paid rent on their 30-room property in 22 years.