King Charles and Prince Andrew have reportedly ended their feud over the future of Royal Lodge, with Charles even keen to reintegrate Andrew into the family.
However, the Prince and Princess of Wales continue to distance themselves from Andrew. The Duke of York is back in the spotlight this week for all the wrong reasons, as it was revealed that a close associate has been expelled from the UK on suspicion of being a Chinese spy by MI5.
This follows his victory in the so-called ‘siege of Royal Lodge’ against his brother, reports the Scottish Daily Express. Charles, now 76, had removed Andrew’s security team in an apparent bid to persuade him to vacate the mansion for a more modest residence.
However, Andrew has managed to fund his own security detail and will remain at the property. It’s been five years since Andrew was stripped of his royal titles due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The 64-year-old has faced allegations of sexual assault and settled one civil case out of court, although he denies any wrongdoing.
The unsavoury Epstein saga has led Prince William and Princess Kate to keep Andrew at a distance. The couple, who have carefully cultivated their image as the modern face of the monarchy, fear that any association with William’s uncle – seen as embodying the worst excesses of royal privilege – could tarnish their reputation.
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Despite the Royal Lodge saga, insiders claim that Charles has “done his best to bring Andrew back into the family fold”, ensuring he is accorded “due status”.
However, the Daily Mail suggests that the Waleses were not keen on inviting Andrew to Kate’s annual carol service at Westminster Abbey last week.
Over 20 members of ‘The Firm’ attended, but there was no space for Andrew. The Ephraim Hardcastle column hints that the King attempted to encourage William and Kate to “bury the hatchet” with Andrew during a gathering at Balmoral last year, even persuading them to give Andrew a lift to church for a joint photo opportunity.
Despite these efforts, it appears that William and Kate continue to maintain their distance.
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