King Charles III, currently undergoing treatment for cancer, is being advised to avoid close association with his embattled younger brother, Prince Andrew, and the York family.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie told the Daily Mail he believes maintaining a clear distance is in the monarch’s best interest. “I would keep the whole York family at a distance,” Lownie said.
Commenting further on Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Lownie advised against extending invitations to her for royal events. “Fergie should not be invited to events, and the daughters should not be made working royals. I believe there are more scandals to emerge,” he added.
The remarks come amid renewed controversy surrounding the Duke of York, following fresh allegations made by Paul Page, a former Metropolitan Police officer who served in the Royal Protection Command. Page told ITV that during his time at the palace, he and colleagues suspected Andrew had an intimate relationship with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
“From the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace at will, we suspected that she may have had an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew,” Page said. He further claimed, “She was allowed to enter and exit the Palace night and day at will.”
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in the United States for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing but faced public and legal scrutiny over his association with both Epstein and Maxwell.
Lownie’s warning underscores the continuing reputational challenges facing the monarchy, particularly as King Charles seeks to maintain stability and public trust during a period of personal health struggles and broader royal transition.
The York family—Andrew and Sarah’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie—are not currently working royals, though they occasionally attend public engagements.
Royal watchers note that distancing from figures embroiled in scandal has been a consistent strategy for the King, who has focused on a slimmed-down monarchy and a smaller circle of senior working royals.
However, the familial ties between the brothers and Andrew’s continued residence on the Windsor estate mean complete separation may be difficult to achieve.
As the King continues his cancer treatment, advisers appear intent on minimizing distractions and avoiding situations that could inflame public criticism. Whether the York family will be further sidelined from official events remains to be seen, but Lownie’s comments suggest the pressure on Charles to draw a firmer line is growing.