King Charles reportedly continues to distance himself publicly from his brother

Prince Andrew has reportedly been sent a clear “reminder” by King Charles that his role within the royal family remains firmly restricted.

This is despite the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Andrew, 65, has faced scrutiny in recent years over his association with the late convicted sex offender.

However, the Duke of York had reportedly been feeling more “chipper” in recent weeks after the US Department of Justice and FBI confirmed earlier this month that no Epstein “client list” exists.

Many believe that this development could spare Andrew further public scrutiny.

Prince Andrew has reportedly received a “reminder” from King Charles that he is still excluded from the royal fold (Credit: Cover Images)

Prince Andrew receives ‘reminder’ from King Charles

“Andrew had been feeling chipper when the White House announced Jeffrey Epstein didn’t keep a little list of ‘clients’ and the FBI has closed its investigations,” a source allegedly told the Daily Mail.

However, that optimism was short-lived.

Renewed tension emerged after reports that former US President Donald Trump could reconsider the release of Epstein-related documents.

It hasn’t helped that he has received a reminder from the king that events don’t allow him to return to royal duty.

According to insiders, the uncertainty has stirred anxiety for Andrew once again.

“As the king returns to Scotland for his summer break, my mole reports Prince Andrew is still on the guest list for a Balmoral holiday,” the Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle claimed.

“But, with Trump’s second thoughts about releasing documents, Andrew’s anxiety continues. It hasn’t helped that he has received a reminder from the king that events don’t allow him to return to royal duty.”

In recent years, Prince Andrew has found himself increasingly sidelined.

Prince Andrew’s Epstein scandal

He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following his infamous BBC Newsnight interview, where he addressed his friendship with Epstein and allegations of sexual assault against him. The duke has always denied the allegations.

Then, in 2022, he was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The move came as Andrew was facing a US civil case over the sexual assault allegations. The case was brought by his accuser, Virginia Giuffre. In February of 2022, the prince and Giuffre settled out of court.

Andrew hasn’t returned to royal duties since.

In August 2024, he was described as “a little bit reclusive,” amid reports of tension with King Charles over his continued residence at Royal Lodge, a grand property in Windsor that Andrew has refused to vacate.
King Charles allegedly continues to distance himself publicly from his disgraced brother (Credit: Cover Images)

What is the relationship between King Charles and Prince Andrew?

King Charles, for his part, has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with his younger brother’s ongoing controversies.

Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Fox News: “King Charles III is expected to do all he can to disassociate himself publicly and to make certain Andrew doesn’t appear with any senior members of the royal family.”

But despite the firm boundaries, Prince Andrew has quietly edged back into certain royal circles.

In June, he was attended a private luncheon during the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle. However, he was notably absent from the formal public procession.

A royal insider told Express that the decision was a “compromise by both sides”.

“He won’t participate in the procession. But he has been invited to the lunch and investiture,” they explained. “It will mark the fourth year in a row that the disgraced duke has been banned from attending the procession.”

Meanwhile, the Epstein saga is far from the only controversy haunting the Duke of York.

Earlier this year, he was linked to a British intelligence investigation involving a suspected Chinese spy, known initially only as “H6”.

The individual was later identified as Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old businessman who voluntarily lifted his anonymity and denied all wrongdoing, calling espionage claims “entirely untrue”.

In response, Prince Andrew’s office issued a statement confirming he had “ceased all contact” with Tengbo. They added that “nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed”.

Royal Insider has contacted reps for Andrew and the palace on the recent reports.