Something has really shifted over the past year when it comes to Prince Andrew. Andrew is still a credibly-accused human trafficker, rapist and pervert, but now that his mother (his biggest champion) has passed away, Andrew has been largely “contained” by King Charles. Sure, Charles makes a big show of “planning to evict” Andrew from Royal Lodge or threatening to cut off whatever allowance, but really, those moves are just for show. Some kabuki theater for the peasants. I would even go so far as to say that Andrew is a deflection for the Windsors’ larger issues: the Sussexes’ successes, the unpopularity of the monarchy in general, and the move towards republicanism across the Commonwealth. Instead of addressing those larger problems, Buckingham Palace says “but Andrew, don’t forget about Andrew, pay attention to what a train wreck he is!” It’s because Andrew is a manageable problem for them, and really, they’re totally fine with him. Speaking of:
King Charles has reportedly offered an ‘olive branch’ to his disgraced brother Prince Andrew by inviting him and the Duchess of York to Balmoral. The Duke is the first family member to join the King at the Highlands castle in a move royal insiders said showed relations between the two have improved.
Charles was reportedly joined by the Duke and his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York – who is recovering from a breast cancer operation – over the weekend.
Andrew, 63, drove himself to the 50,000-acre estate on Royal Deeside before later being accompanied by Sarah, who flew to Aberdeen. The pair are staying at the seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge on the estate – favoured by the late Queen.
A royal insider insisted it was ‘not a snub’ the pair were staying at the lodge instead of the main house, telling the Express: ‘The King and Andrew are now on much better terms and making him the first member of the family to join him is an olive branch.’
The apparent peace offering came as Prince Andrew appeared to have won his battle to remain in the seven-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor. The King had been attempting to persuade his brother to move into the vacant Frogmore Cottage – the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan. Charles wanted Andrew to leave the 30-room mansion, where he lives with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and downsize to the Sussexes’ old home.
But the King does not have the power to force out Andrew from the £30million Royal Lodge – with royal insiders claiming the plan to move the Duke out have now been shelved.
It’s not an olive branch, just like it wasn’t an olive branch when Andrew came out for Easter and Christmas during Charles’s reign. Andrew is fully accepted by his family, welcomed to family events and still on all of the invite lists for shooting parties. None of them actually have a problem with Andrew’s criminal behavior, his financial schemes, or the human trafficking. The Windsors honestly don’t care, because they’re correctly assuming that most people don’t really give a f–k about Andrew either way.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.
Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Andrew Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. Pictures by Dan Charit Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. ;,Image: 774185717, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Unknown / Avalon 
Prince Andrew departs after the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774200058, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: James Veysey/Shutterstock / Avalon 
Prince Michael of Kent (L) and Prince Andrew departs The Coronation Service of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, England, UK on Saturday 6 May, 2023.,Image: 774227888, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
Prince Andrew during the Coronation of King Charles III, London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774246840, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Phil Harris / Avalon 
Duke of York, Prince Andrew, at The Coronation of King Charles III at London”s Westminster Abbey 06 May 2023,Image: 774252265, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Mark Stewart / Avalon 
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England. The Windsor Castle Concert is part of the celebrations of the Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms that took place at Westminster Abbey yesterday. High-profile performers will entertain members of the royal family and 20,000 guests including 10,000 members of the public.,Image: 774495370, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Leon Neal / Avalon
Royals head to Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort, King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York Where: Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom When: 09 Apr 2023 Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Members of the British Royal family attend the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castlle Featuring: Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and Prince Andrew, Duke of York Where: Windsor, United Kingdom When: 09 Apr 2023 Credit: Cover ImagesncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWthboRxe8%2BroKeblZSur7DRnq6YnpWntKqxvrCcq52PoLavs76cn5qqnJrAtKvFoqmsrI%2Bcwqa%2F06yWmqyPl66tuc6rmKVn