King Charles is reportedly growing frustrated with Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, but has stopped short of shaming them publicly. According to Radar Online, the monarch has made it clear that he wants the Duke and Duchess of York to step back from the spotlight and avoid attracting attention at royal events.
A palace insider told the publication that Charles is weary of the controversies surrounding the Yorks, particularly Andrew’s scandal-plagued past. Since his accession in 2022, the King has worked to slim down the monarchy and protect its image, yet Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein continue to cast a shadow over the royal family.
The insider stressed that Charles is not attempting to sever ties completely. Instead, he feels that minimizing Andrew and Sarah’s public presence is the best way to shield the monarchy. “The king knows Andrew will always be his brother and that Sarah has her place in the family, but he would prefer them to stay in the shadows,” they said.
In addition, the King is said to prefer that, when they do attend royal gatherings, the pair avoid drawing attention. “If they do turn up, he wants them to keep a low profile and avoid making a spectacle of themselves. In his mind, the best outcome would be for them to simply blend into the background,” the insider explained.
Another source told the outlet that while Charles is careful not to humiliate them, his patience is wearing thin. “Charles has no wish to shame them, but his patience is wearing thin. The controversies keep coming back, and every time the monarchy takes the hit,” the source said.
The King, according to those close to him, believes the only way to move forward is to limit Andrew and Sarah’s visibility until public criticism subsides. “He believes the best way forward is for Andrew and Sarah to stay out of sight so the attention and criticism eventually fade,” the source added.
Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019 following his disastrous BBC interview about his association with Epstein, has remained largely out of the public eye. Yet his presence at family events, alongside his former wife, continues to generate headlines.
Charles, determined to focus the monarchy on its core working members, is said to view discretion from the Yorks as essential to protecting the crown’s reputation.