Get you up to speed: King Charles avoids brother Andrew while staying in Sandringham | News UK
King Charles and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were in close proximity over the weekend in Sandringham, but did not meet. Andrew is under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct, while Charles chose not to visit him at his residence nearby.
Investigators are examining allegations of sexual misconduct involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during his time as a government trade envoy, with claims dating back to 2010 now under review. Following his arrest in February, Andrew has been evicted from Royal Lodge, where he had resided for over two decades, and he will now be moving to alternative private accommodation.
King Charles has not met with his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during a recent visit to Sandringham, following the King’s previous decision to strip Andrew of his titles amidst ongoing allegations of misconduct. The investigation into Andrew’s alleged sexual misconduct continues, as he faces scrutiny from law enforcement over claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether King Charles will ultimately remove Andrew from the line of succession.
King Charles chooses to avoid brother Andrew during stay at Sandringham
King Charles and the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were just a stone’s throw from each other over the weekend.
However, the monarch did not meet with the former Royal — who could now be investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct — the Daily Mail reports.
Charles spent the bank holiday in Sandringham, heading to Wood Farm on the royal Norfolk estate instead of the main house, which is open to tourists for the summer season.
Wood Farm, which was Prince Philip’s primary home after he retired from public royal duties in 2017, is only a 15-minute drive from Marsh Farm, where Andrew now resides.
The Mail reports that Charles has not visited his brother, nor did the monarch invited Andrew to see him.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
This snub comes after the King stripped Andrew of all his titles last year amid his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the late former financier and sex offender.
Then, he initiated Andrew’s eviction from his former home of Royal Lodge, the 30-room Grade II-listed property where he lived for over two decades.
It was also recently revealed that the King’s wife, Queen Camilla, was one of the driving forces behind Andrew’s downfall, alongside Prince William.
Christopher Wilson, author of A Greater Love – Charles and Camilla, revealed that they allegedly convinced the King to punish his younger brother in the wake of the Epstein scandal, which involved the removal of his titles and his eviction.
Wilson also said that Camilla’s ‘steeliness’ can ‘stiffen his backbone when needed.’
For example, it’s long been discussed whether Andrew should lose his place in the line of succession. While Wilson claimed it’s an ‘uncomfortable’ decision for Charles, he said Camilla is ‘urging him’ to follow it through.
The author also suggested that it’s not just Andrew who is in the Queen’s firing line – Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie reportedly are too. Wilson said it’s ‘even likely that her influence will take [them] out of the royal pecking order as well.’
He finished: ‘The Queen has apparently concluded that all the Yorks, including Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie and their children, should be excluded from the line of succession.’
Back in February, Andrew was arrested on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest was related to his time as a government trade envoy. He was held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation.
Andrew categorically denies any wrongdoing.
Now, detectives investigating Andrew are also looking into claims of sexual misconduct with Jeffrey Epstein links.
Officers are reviewing a claim made by a woman that she was sent by Epstein to the Royal Lodge to have sex with him in 2010, followed by a tour of Buckingham Palace.
She was in her 20s when the allegations are said to have happened, according to her lawyer, Brad Edwards, who first spoke to the BBC.
When Charles removed Andrew’s titles, Buckingham Palace released a statement standing by Epstein’s victims.
It said: ‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
‘Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
‘Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.’
Following Andrew’s February arrest, the King released a separate statement where he stressed that the ‘law must take its course.’
The monarch said: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.’
The King reiterated his previous comment of the police having the royal family’s ‘full and wholehearted support and co-operation.’
Charles continued: ‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.’
He rounded off the statement by saying it ‘would not be right’ for him to ‘comment further on this matter.’
However, Charles said that he and his family ‘will continue in our duty and service to you all.’