Former royal press secretary says a visit could reignite controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Questions have been raised about why King Charles has not visited his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, despite recently being in Norfolk, where Andrew is currently staying.
The monarch was seen attending a church service in the area on Friday, prompting speculation about the apparent distance between the two brothers. Andrew is presently living at Wood Farm, a modest residence on the Sandringham estate, while renovation work continues on his long-term home on another privately managed royal property.
With ongoing reports of tensions involving Prince William over Andrew’s future, the lack of a meeting between the King and his brother has drawn particular attention.
According to Ailsa Anderson, who previously served as press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, the reason is likely a deliberate effort to avoid reigniting the controversy surrounding Andrew.
Speaking to The Sun, Anderson suggested that a visit from the monarch could quickly attract media attention and intensify the situation again.
She explained that the story surrounding Andrew has recently settled after a wave of headlines, and a public visit could easily spark fresh coverage. In her view, any appearance of the King going to see him would likely be photographed and would push the issue back into the spotlight.
Anderson added that while the brothers may not be meeting in person, it is entirely possible they are still in contact privately, most likely by phone.
She also praised the King’s cautious approach, suggesting it is a sensible way to avoid escalating matters further. In her view, choosing not to visit helps prevent the issue from resurfacing in a way the palace would prefer to avoid.
