Prince Andrew has been allegedly “blindsided” by King Charles’ refusal to allow his return to royal duties ever again.
In the days leading up to Queen Elizabeth’s passing in early September, the brothers had a private meeting regarding the Duke of York’s royal future at King Charles’ Birkhall estate in Scotland which left Andrew “tearful”.
“Until the face-to-face meeting with his brother, Andrew believed that there was a way back – that somehow he could be rehabilitated and play a role in The Firm going forward,” a source told The Mail.
“Andrew was totally blindsided. He is utterly bereft.
“He came out of the meeting shaken. He is still in shock. He is completely lost and very depressed.”
Prince Andrew was forced to step down from his royal duties in 2019 after his association with the convicted pedophile, Jeffery Epstein.
He was then stripped of his military affiliations, royal patronages and ability to use the title “His Royal Highness” in January 2022 by his mother after he was accused by Virginia Giuffre of sexually assaulting her while she was 17-years-old.
The case was later settled in February after Prince Andrew reportedly reached out to Charles for money.
Since the start of the year up to the Queen’s passing, Andrew has allegedly attempted to advocate his return to royal responsibilities. But was denied as King Charles and Prince William remained adamant on refusing him.
Despite the dukes “naïve” hopes of “regaining his position as a senior royal”, his reputation and the monarchy by extension has been damaged. King Charles reportedly shut down his plans quickly.
“Andrew was extremely close to the Queen and tried to raise the issue of his return to public life many times with her,” the source revealed.
“On some occasions she would say mildly conciliatory things but most of the time she would change the subject immediately to avoid talking about it.
“At the meeting, Charles told him that he can go off and have a good life, a nice life, but that his public life as a Royal is at an end. He was told, ‘You have to accept this.’,” the source concluded.