Princess Anne's Secret Phone Call and Generous Offer to Disgraced Brother Andrew
Princess Anne, renowned for her unwavering dedication to royal duties, has demonstrated that same fierce loyalty extends to her family behind closed doors. According to recent reports, this includes her younger brother, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Family Concern Amidst Mounting Pressure
When Andrew was stripped of his royal titles last year, Anne grew deeply concerned about his mental well-being. This anxiety intensified as calls for his eviction from Royal Lodge in Windsor escalated, forcing him to confront the daunting prospect of finding alternative housing. Before the full extent of Andrew's connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were publicly revealed through the Epstein files, the Princess Royal reportedly extended a generous offer to her struggling brother.
Royal expert Richard Kay disclosed to the Daily Mail that Anne invited Andrew to live with her at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire. Kay emphasized that this gesture was "not just as an act of Christian charity but a willingness to surround him with family love." It remains unclear whether she intended for Andrew to reside in the main house or in one of the separate properties on the estate grounds, where both of her children maintain their own homes.
Christmas Call and Growing Tensions
During the Christmas period, when the rest of the royal family gathered at Sandringham, Anne reportedly reached out to Andrew, who remained in exile in Windsor. However, sources indicate that her sympathy has waned in recent months following the release of millions of documents as part of the Epstein files, which have reportedly increased her upset with her brother.
Currently, Andrew resides in temporary accommodation at Wood Farm on the King's Norfolk estate of Sandringham. He is awaiting the completion of extensive renovations at Marsh Farm, which will serve as his more permanent lodgings.
Family Discord Over Andrew's Treatment
Ahead of Andrew's arrest, a royal source revealed that Anne had expressed concerns that King Charles had been excessively harsh in stripping Andrew of his titles and compelling him to surrender his lease on Royal Lodge. The source told the Daily Mail in January: "Anne has been vocal with both the King and William about Andrew's treatment," adding that "Edward is backing her to some extent. There are several arguments going on between Andrew and the King and between the King and the wider family – some of whom are convinced the King has treated his brother too harshly."
This internal conflict has reportedly taken a significant toll on King Charles, who strives to maintain family harmony. Meanwhile, Prince William and Queen Camilla have advocated for a firmer stance against Andrew's scandals, creating substantial "family angst." The royal insider further claimed that even Charles harbors regret over the decision to strip his brother of his titles, but felt compelled to take drastic action due to overwhelming public demand.
Mediation Efforts and Ongoing Silence
In October, when questioned on the Palace Confidential podcast about whether Anne could act as a mediator within the royal family amid the Andrew scandal, Richard Kay responded: "I think Anne and Edward have played a role. I think, if anything, they've been concerned about their brother’s well-being, how he’s handling this intense pressure." Since Andrew's arrest in February, Princess Anne has consistently avoided addressing questions about her younger brother during her royal engagements, maintaining a discreet silence on the matter.
