King Charles weighs family gathering amid renewed controversy
King Charles's annual summer tradition at Balmoral Castle may be disrupted following the latest scandal involving Prince Andrew.
The monarch, currently staying at the Scottish estate while undergoing cancer treatment, typically invites family members to spend the summer there, continuing a tradition established by the late Queen Elizabeth. However, a new book by historian Andrew Lownie has reignited controversy, with former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond describing Andrew as “the problem that won't go away.”
“Every few months now, there seem to be new allegations about Prince Andrew and lurid stories about his behavior over the years,” Bond told The Mirror. “These summer months are meant to be a period of calm and respite for the Royal Family, but here's the Duke once again, splashed all over the papers, with graphic tales.”
Although Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and patronages, he has continued to attend family events, often accompanied by his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Yet the latest allegations, cited in Lownie's book, have created fresh tension.
Bond suggested the King “must be exasperated” with his brother. Whether Andrew will be invited to Balmoral this year remains uncertain, but his presence could provide “awkward” for other family members — and for Andrew himself.
