Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor saga shows ‘separation in Royal Family’ as King Charles ‘keeps his distance,’ commentator claims

During the move, the former Duke of York resided in a temporary home, Wood Farm, where he was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 66-year-old is said to have had few visitors during his two-month stay on the farm, but he is believed to have received a visit from his younger brother, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie.

Those in Edward’s inner circle told the Mail he has been “deeply unsettled” in recent weeks, troubled by the allegations surrounding his brother and his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – something the former duke has always strenuously denied.

But the couple had become concerned about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s “fragile state of mind,” and therefore visited the former Duke of York for a “brotherly welfare check”.

The Princess Royal is also said to have called Andrew and offered her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire for him to move into – despite protesters swarming her car at a recent engagement, demanding answers on her brother’s ties to Epstein.

The attitudes of both Edward and Princess Anne seem to be a stark difference from those of King Charles and his son, Prince William.

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And former BBC correspondent Jennie Bond believes this is down to a “separation” in the family, between the Royal Family and the direct lineage to the throne.

“I think this is an illustration of the separation of the institution of monarchy and the royal family,” she explained to The Mirror.

“The King and his heir, William, have a vested interest in protecting the monarchy – and feel they have a duty to do so.

“Andrew poses a threat to the good name of the monarchy, and so both Charles and William are keeping their distance.

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“I’m sure Anne and Edward feel the same loyalty to the Crown, but they are also slightly more at liberty to keep in contact with their brother, Andrew. And it seems they are doing so.”

In contrast to Anne and Edwards’ show of support for their brother, neither the King nor his son William are believed to have met Andrew since his arrest.

The monarch stripped him of his royal titles in October 2025 and later booted him out of his home of 20 years.

As for William, a source close to the family told Hello he has “never had a close relationship” with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.

Royal author Andrew Lownie claimed the Waleses are “clearly distancing themselves” from the former duke, and reports emerged last month that William is also pushing to remove Andrew from the line of succession.

It was previously revealed that William wanted Andrew out of the royal fold all the way back in 2019, following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview.