Monarch Faces Backlash as He Refuses to Cut Ties With Andrew and Fergie
King Charles is under mounting pressure as Sarah Ferguson’s latest scandal forces the monarch into a delicate dilemma over the future of the York family.
The royal household was still reeling from Prince Andrew’s downfall when his ex-wife, who continues to share the Royal Lodge with him, triggered fresh controversy. Leaked emails revealed that Fergie privately apologised to Jeffrey Epstein—whom she once called her “supreme friend”—despite publicly distancing herself from him years earlier.
The fallout was swift. Three major charities severed ties with the Duchess of York, even as her team insisted she only wrote to Epstein because he threatened legal action.
As Fergie’s reputation takes another hit, attention has turned to Buckingham Palace and how the King will respond. While many expected a strong rebuke, insiders told the Daily Mail that Charles is reluctant to disown Andrew and Fergie.
“The King doesn’t want to cut ties with his brother, former sister-in-law and that side of the family,” one source said. “The late Queen, conscious that Fergie was the mother of her granddaughters, always took that view, even if Prince Philip couldn’t bear to be in the same room as Sarah.”
Observers warn this is a high-stakes move. The Yorks have already caused significant reputational damage to the monarchy, and the King’s quiet show of loyalty could make matters worse.
Insiders also pointed out why Charles is not treating the Yorks like the Sussexes. “Andrew and Fergie have never publicly criticised the monarchy or the King,” the source added. “Andrew’s friends say that even in private they’ve never heard him say a bad word about his brother.”
By standing by Andrew and Fergie, Charles appears to be rewarding loyalty. But critics fear the decision could come at a heavy cost to his reign.
