Prince Andrew's 'compromise' with King Charles after missing royal family event
The Duke of York was at a private event this week
Prince Andrew has quietly returned to the royal fold in a limited but significant way, following what insiders describe as a “compromise” with his elder brother, King Charles.
The Duke of York, 65, was notably absent from the public procession of the Order of the Garter ceremony on Monday, June 16.
However, he did attend a private luncheon at Windsor Castle. The luncheon was hosted by the king and Queen Camilla in honour of the Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 amid intense scrutiny over his association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew and King Charles make ‘special agreement’
A royal insider described the carefully orchestrated arrangement as a “compromise by both sides”.
Speaking to the Daily Express, the source explained: “He won’t participate in the procession. But he has been invited to the lunch and investiture. It will mark the fourth year in a row that the disgraced duke has been banned from attending the procession.”
The official entry for the June 16 event stated on the royal family website: “The King and Queen gave a Luncheon Party for the Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter at which The Prince of Wales, The Duke of York, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent were present.”
The Duke of York’s inclusion in the private aspects is seen as a compromise by both sides.
Though subtle, Andrew’s inclusion reflects a shifting tone from the palace.
It may signal a softened stance from King Charles. The king, 76, has reportedly been grappling with how best to handle the complicated status of his younger brother.
The alleged arrangement with Charles allows Andrew to attend private family and ceremonial occasions while remaining excluded from public-facing roles.
“The Duke of York’s inclusion in the private aspects is seen as a compromise by both sides,” the source noted.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Buckingham Palace for comment.
Prince Andrew controversy
Prince Andrew’s public fall from grace began in 2019 after a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview.
During the interview, he addressed his association with Epstein as well as sexual assault allegations made by Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, accused the duke of sexually assaulting her on three occasions when she was 17.
Prince Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations against him.
His interview with the BBC was widely seen as a PR catastrophe.
Soon after, the palace announced the Duke of York would be stepping back from public duties “for the foreseeable future”.
Despite maintaining his innocence and reaching an out-of-court settlement in a civil lawsuit brought against him by Giuffre in 2022, Andrew has since remained out of the public spotlight.
His military titles and royal patronages were also returned to his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and he was absent from most major royal engagements.
Andrew made headlines earlier this year when he made a public appearance at the royals Easter service. This marked his first public appearance in a year.
Read more: Queen Camilla’s ‘silent battle’ at Royal Ascot with King Charles
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