Prince William 'outvoted by King Charles' after key decision about Prince Andrew | Royal | News

The monarch made it clear to senior members of the royal family that he no longer wanted to exclude Prince Andrew from family life and suggested that Prince William would drive him to church in Scotland last Sunday, it is said.

His appearance alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales, knowing they would all be photographed, was seen as a major step towards Prince Andrew's rehabilitation.

Andrew's driving to the service in Balmoral and back home could be seen as a public sign of support for William and Kate. A source told the Mirror: “It's more than he (Andrew) could have asked for.”

Another insider told the Mirror that although William has attended private events with his uncle, such as last Christmas at Sandringham, he has absolutely no desire to be seen in public with the Duke.

Another source added: “It looks like his wings have been clipped a bit.”

Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, who introduced a bill in Parliament to strip the King of his title of Duke of York, said “any perceived public rehabilitation” of Prince Andrew would be “uncomfortable”.

The population welcomed the streamlining of the monarchy, both in terms of the members of the royal family and the large number of employees working for it.

As Prince of Wales, King Charles III was vocal about his desire for a “slimmed down” monarchy, with fewer working royals and a less costly institution.

Express.co.uk has contacted Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace for comment.