Prince Andrew has been placed under a different roof from Prince William during the annual summer gathering at Balmoral, a move insiders say is “no coincidence.”
The Prince of Wales is said to have grown distant from the Duke of York over the past six years, and steps have reportedly been taken to ensure distance between the two men.
Traditionally, Balmoral has been seen as the Royal Family’s most private retreat, and this summer is no exception, with a steady stream of arrivals at the Aberdeenshire estate.
On Monday, the King, wearing a kilt, inspected a guard of honour and a Shetland pony at the gates of Balmoral
Prince Andrew housed separately from Prince William is ‘no coincidence’ as Royal Family gathers
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Last week, Andrew was among the first to arrive with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
This week, the Prime Minister is expected, while the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children will soon make their way north.
Andrew, now largely retired from public life, is staying with his ex-wife at Craigowan Lodge, a seven-bedroom property on the Balmoral estate, which insiders told The Times is “no coincidence.”
Apart from Christmas at Sandringham, summer in Scotland is the only occasion when the entire Royal Family comes together.
Last December, Andrew was notably absent from the traditional Sandringham gathering. Instead, he and Fergie spent the festive period alone, after headlines emerged about his association with an alleged Chinese spy.
His presence at Balmoral this year may be interpreted as a gesture of support from the King, or simply a reflection of Charles’s closeness to Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Prince William has spoken fondly about Balmoral, saying: “My childhood was full of holidays having fun in the fresh air, swimming in lochs, family barbecues with my grandfather in command — and yes, the odd midge.”
Queen Elizabeth marked Philip’s death in 2021 with a personal photograph, taken by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, showing her relaxing with her husband on the hills near the castle.
Charles, Harry and William at Balmoral in 1997
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The late Queen with her three sons at Balmoral in 1979
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It was also at Balmoral that Lady Diana Spencer was brought to be “vetted” before her marriage to Charles — a test she passed “with flying colours.”
Conversely, it was from Balmoral that the Duchess of York was once banished after paparazzi photos of her toes being sucked were splashed across front pages.
Despite past tensions, William and the King appear to agree on the enduring value of the Scottish retreat. The Waleses began their summer this year on a yacht in Greece but will end it in Scotland.
“George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both of us,” William has said, “and they’re starting to build their own happy memories here too.”
Both Prince George and Prince Louis have already joined shoots on the estate, continuing a family tradition that binds each new generation to Balmoral.