A lip reader has claimed that Prince Andrew made a 'desperate' plea to Prince William before being ignored at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last September. The incident, which took place outside Westminster Cathedral, saw the Prince of Wales give Andrew the cold shoulder, a moment widely seen as symbolising William and King Charles's efforts to distance themselves from the disgraced former royal.
Forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, speaking on Channel 5's show 'Lip-Reading the Royals: The Secret Conversations', revealed Andrew's words: 'I've learnt from what I've done but before I forget, and if I can, I'd like to ask you if you can forgive?' William, standing with his wife Kate, turned away and looked straight ahead, unimpressed.
Further awkward moments after the ceremony included Andrew chuckling as he shared a joke with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and breaking into laughter while standing next to William, who appeared visibly uncomfortable and embarrassed.
The revelations come amid reports that Andrew had hoped to travel to the Middle East, possibly Bahrain or Abu Dhabi, to reinvent himself, with Sarah Ferguson also planning a getaway to the region. However, the ongoing conflict in the Gulf has likely scuppered those plans, with a source stating it is 'far too dangerous' for them to visit. A British diplomatic insider added that it is 'inconceivable' they will visit while the war continues.
