Prince Andrew is under intense pressure to make a critical decision before the upcoming Sandringham meeting, with inside sources claiming the Duke of York is being urged to “step away” to avoid further embarrassment for the royal family.
Cancer-stricken King Charles, who has endured a tumultuous year, is said to be in no mood to endure another awkward confrontation with his disgraced brother, particularly after the current row over the Royal Lodge. The King, already facing personal health problems, is looking to spend a stress-free vacation with his family, but the presence of Prince Andrew threatens to derail those plans.
The sun reported A lunch at Buckingham Palace, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to host more than 50 members of the extended Royal Family, and sources claim Andrew is under immense pressure to “step aside” voluntarily. Insiders fear the meeting could become awkward if Andrew attends, forcing King Charles into an unwanted position.
“Inevitably, there would have to be some very awkward conversations, and the King wouldn’t want to make his brother squirm,” a source revealed to the sun. The source didn’t hold back, adding: “Andrew has achieved the unthinkable and has gone crazy even before the Christmas party.”
Courtiers are reportedly pleading with the Duke of York to avoid provoking further controversy, emphasizing that his behavior risks overshadowing what should be a period of unity and celebration for the royals. A source explained: “It’s been an incredible year for The Firm, and the last thing they want is for this scandal to drag on for a period of celebration.”
The source described Andrew as “dumb” in his handling of the recent controversies. They stressed that the more he “keeps his head down,” the quicker the royal family can overcome the embarrassment and public scrutiny that continues to dog him.
However, despite increasing pressure, sources suggest King Charles is hesitant to officially ban his brother from participating in family events, as such a move would only attract more media attention and worsen the situation. Instead, the monarch is said to rely on courtiers to find a diplomatic solution. Advisers are said to be working behind the scenes, carefully “advising” the King on how to handle this delicate matter.
The situation comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Royal Family, as King Charles is dealing with his own health problems and trying to stabilize the monarchy after a difficult year. With the celebrations quickly approaching, the last thing the family wants is for Andrew to be the center of another scandal.
Insiders believe the duke’s best course of action would be to step back gracefully to avoid further embarrassment for both himself and the monarchy. While Charles remains reluctant to take decisive action, the message from the courtiers is clear: Andrew must not risk ruining the holiday for everyone else.
For now, all eyes are on Thursday’s lunch at Buckingham Palace and whether Prince Andrew will bow to pressure or risk another public relations nightmare. As one source summarized: “The sooner he walks away, the sooner everyone can move on.”