Andrew’s titles and honours, as well as Ms Ferguson’s, were axed last year by the King, in a bid to distance the monarchy from the embarrassing revelations continuing to emerge. The former prince cut a lonely figure in Windsor on Christmas Day, as the rest of the royals celebrated in Norfolk.
Now, reports claim that Anne phoned her brother on the day, before making a shocking offer.
The Daily Mail’s Richard Kay claimed: “When it comes to relations with her [Princess Anne’s] middle brother, I have learned that her approach has been notably independent-minded.
“It is why many have been wondering how Anne views the crisis surrounding Andrew.”
He added: “Until last Christmas at least, Anne was still holding a sympathetic and tolerant line towards Andrew – she apparently made a point of telephoning Royal Lodge, where he was still holed up, on Christmas Day when the rest of the family were at Sandringham.
“But she has also been angry with him for his links to Jeffrey Epstein and the shadow they have cast over the royals, and has questioned him about them.”
Mr Kay added that Anne suggested that Andrew move to her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire after his eviction from Royal Lodge following public furore, after it emerged he had been paying “peppercorn rent” to stay there for years.
He said that it was “not just an act of Christian charity” but a” willingness to surround him with family love”.
Mr Kay added that Anne’s attitude towards Andrew has “hardened” with the release of the Epstein files.
He explained that following the release of the latest batch of Epstein files, which included humiliating revelations and photographs about Andrew, the princess reportedly “recognised” that it was harder to defend her brother and came to share the family view that “unless Andrew was distanced, the risk of reputational damage to the institution would be considerable”.
He concluded: “She now shares the family view that the King has done the right thing in banishing Andrew – but she still is reluctant to see him excluded from private family gatherings.”
Mr Kay also alleges that, despite Andrew’s arrest in Norfolk last month, Anne has continued to be in contact with him.
Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was held in custody for 11 hours, being released under investigation.
He has always denied any wrongdoing.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
