Princess Anne reportedly offered her disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, a place to live at her Gatcombe Park estate before his arrest last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The offer came amid growing concerns for Andrew's mental health after he was stripped of his royal titles and faced pressure to vacate Royal Lodge.
According to royal expert Richard Kay, the Princess Royal made the generous proposal “not just as an act of Christian charity but a willingness to surround him with family love.” It remains unclear whether Anne intended for Andrew to move into the main house or a separate property on the grounds, as both of her children have their own homes there.
Anne also reportedly called Andrew during the Christmas period while the rest of the royal family gathered at Sandringham, leaving him in exile at Windsor. However, her sympathy has waned in recent months following the release of the Epstein files, which detailed Andrew's association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
A royal source told the Daily Mail that Anne had been vocal with King Charles and Prince William, arguing that the King had been too harsh on Andrew by stripping his titles and forcing him to give up Royal Lodge. The source added that Prince Edward backed Anne to some extent, leading to “several arguments” within the family.
Prince William and Queen Camilla have advocated for a firmer stance against Andrew, creating significant “family angst.” Despite the tensions, Charles reportedly has a heavy heart over the decision but felt compelled by public demand. Andrew now resides in temporary accommodation at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, awaiting renovations at Marsh Farm.
