Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reportedly turned down an invitation from King Charles to join the wider royal family at Balmoral, with a friend claiming he fears being treated like an outsider. The former prince reportedly believes the family gathering would offer little benefit if he feels unwelcome throughout the holiday.
Ex-Prince Andrew rejected King Charles’ Balmoral invite as ‘he has nothing to gain,’ friend claims
According to a friend, Andrew believes the royal family has increasingly distanced itself from him. The invitation to Balmoral could have offered an opportunity for the family to spend time together, but the ex-prince reportedly has little interest in accepting it. “Andrew feels he’s been abandoned,” the friend told The Sun.
The source claimed Andrew believes he no longer has a meaningful place within the family and worries that attending the Scottish gathering would only highlight his isolation. “He was invited but has got no great desire to be at Balmoral as he has nothing to gain and would be treated as an outcast,” the friend claimed. The source added that Andrew sees little point in traveling to the estate for a family break if he believes his presence would make others uncomfortable.
Up to 30 members of the wider royal family are expected to visit King Charles at Balmoral over the next month for the family’s traditional summer gathering. Andrew’s reported decision stands in contrast to his visit to the estate last year. He stayed there for up to two weeks but reportedly spent much of the time alone. The former royal now occupies a very different position within the family following several major changes to his status.
Andrew stepped down from official royal duties years ago amid scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to the report, King Charles stripped Andrew of several royal privileges in November. The King later asked Andrew to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor in February.
