King Charles’ shock offer to scandal-hit younger brother Prince Andrew

Palace aides fear “unexploded bombs” as King Charles makes a surprise move in his row with the disgraced Prince Andrew.

King Charles has offered an olive branch to his disgraced younger brother Prince Andrew by inviting him to Balmoral for a royal family retreat.

Palace insiders said it was significant that the Duke of York is the first family member to join the King at the Highlands castle nearly a year after the late Queen died at the Scottish estate, The Express reports.

Prince Andrew leaves Westminster Abbey after the coronation of King Charles. Picture: AFP

Prince Andrew was joined by his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who is recovering from breast cancer surgery and is also being welcomed back into the royal fold after years of alienation.

The pair are staying at Craigowan Lodge on the estate and may be joined by daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their families, according to reports.

The brothers, pictured at St Giles Cathedral after a vigil in memory of the Queen last September, appear to be reaching a compromise. Picture: Getty Images

The move shows relations between King Charles and his brother have thawed after the fallout from Prince Andrew’s car crash BBC interview, which forced him to step down from royal duties.

Some royal aides, however, are said to fear “unexploded bombs” over the Duke’s former links to the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew at the coronation concert with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who is gradually returning to the royal fold. Picture: Getty Images

Sources told The Express there was no prospect of Prince Andrew returning to royal duties in the foreseeable future but the King still loves his brother.

King Charles’ peace offering came after Prince Andrew appeared to have won his battle to remain in his lavish Royal Lodge residence in Windsor, despite efforts to persuade him to move to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Express earlier this month that things had changes for Sarah Ferguson since Prince Philip’s death.

Ms Bond said Prince Philip found it “difficult” to be in the same room as the scandal-plagued Fergie “after all the shame she had brought on the family, but the Queen was always more conciliatory.”

“And now King Charles is showing that he accepts her as part of the family and has begun including her in family occasions. And that is good to see,” she said.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have officially taken up residence in Balmoral for the English summer and will be joined by other senior royals, including Prince William and his family.

A source told The Express: “Everyone is looking forward to a relaxing holiday, not a working conference.

“The King wants to spend quality time with his grandchildren. He and William do talk of course, but they have pretty much agreed on the way forward for some time.”

Originally published as King Charles’ shock offer to scandal-hit younger brother Prince Andrew