Andrew feels abandoned by royal family, turns down King Charles invitation, experts say

Andrew Lownie, who wrote "Entitled," says Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor made his own problems worse and that more Epstein facts may still appear.

Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor says he feels "abandoned" by his family as his royal exile grows.

Helena Chard, a British broadcaster, told Fox News Digital that friends often check on the former Duke of York and that he is not hiding from them.

She said Andrew is choosing to spend time abroad with friends instead of staying at Balmoral with the family, and that he feels abandoned by some relatives.

Former Prince Andrew was seen with a large bruise covering half his face, raising questions about the injury.

Former Prince Andrew left Westminster Abbey after King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s coronation on May 6, 2023, and left Royal Lodge on Feb. 2, 2026. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)

Royal expert Hilary Fordwich agreed with Chard’s view, based on her sources.

Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor and his ex‑wife Sarah Ferguson attended the Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16, 2025. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Fordwich said, "Andrew isn’t important now. No one worries about his feelings, but we must stop him hurting the monarchy further."

Watch: Former Prince Andrew still denies any wrongdoing in the Epstein case, author says.

A friend told The Sun that Andrew feels abandoned and no longer part of the family.

The friend said Andrew was invited to Balmoral but sees no benefit and expects to be treated like an outcast, likening the visit to being an unwanted elephant in the room.

Andrew was photographed at the Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 20, 2025. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

He stopped royal duties in 2019 after a criticized BBC Newsnight interview about his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A photo of Prince Andrew with Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in the Justice Department’s release of Epstein files. (Department of Justice)

In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II removed his military titles and patronages as he faced Virginia Giuffre’s lawsuit; they settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Giuffre died in April 2025.

Virginia Roberts keeps a photo of herself at 16, when she says Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her. (Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

In Oct. 2025, King Charles III removed Andrew’s royal titles as scrutiny grew after Giuffre’s memoir and new documents about Andrew’s link to Epstein were released.

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Prince Andrew attended the Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16, 2025. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Buckingham Palace gave Andrew formal notice to give up the lease on Royal Lodge; his ex‑wife Sarah Ferguson was expected to find her own home.

On Feb. 19, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sharing secret information with Epstein while a UK trade envoy; he was released after 11 hours in custody and the probe continues.

A photo shows Prince Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein at Ascot in the UK. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and the accusations against him.

A photo released by the US Justice Department shows Andrew, Lord Peter Mandelson, and the late Jeffrey Epstein in bathrobes, part of a document trove on Epstein. (U.S. Justice Department/Handout)

Ian Pelham Turner, a royal broadcaster, said Andrew clearly feels contempt and distance from senior royals.

Turner added that Andrew’s mental health may suffer, his hobbies like riding and shooting could be limited, the police probe worries him, and his former wife remains distant.

Andrew left Aylsham Police Station in a car on the day of his arrest, after the US Justice Department released more Epstein records; the arrest was on Feb. 19, 2026, his birthday. (Phil Noble/Reuters)

Turner said Andrew lives a lonely life and now watches a TV channel that shows planes landing to relax.

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Balmoral Castle in Scotland. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Andrew’s friend told The Sun that he turned down the king’s Balmoral invitation because he feared being treated as an outcast.

Each summer the royal family meets at Balmoral privately; about 30 members are expected this year, but the king likely has not seen Andrew, even though they live close by.

Andrew is shown after leaving police custody following his Feb. 19, 2026 arrest in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Turner asked why Andrew would reject his brother’s olive branch, noting anger, disdain for Charles, arrogance, and tension with Prince William, saying Andrew feels trapped.

King Charles III inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland at Balmoral’s gates on Aug. 18, 2026. (Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)

Fordwich said there will never be a public restoration for Andrew now or when William becomes king.

Fordwich added that Andrew may decline the king’s invite out of self‑concern, feeling unwanted; the only family member who visited him was Prince Edward.

Prince Edward is said to be the only royal who has visited Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor. (REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/Pool)

The Sun reported that Andrew’s ex‑wife and their two daughters avoid his new home, Marsh Farm, where he feels lonely.

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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attended their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022; they now face fallout from their father’s arrest. (Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)

Even as Andrew becomes more isolated, one royal privilege still remains.

The Daily Mail says Andrew stays on a secret government list with pre‑planned funeral arrangements called “bridge plans,” named after UK bridges.

Prince William and Catherine have expressed deep concern about the latest links between Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, Kensington Palace said on Feb. 9, 2026. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, “Operation London Bridge” began; Prince Philip’s plan was called “Operation Forth Bridge.”

Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022 at age 96. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

People magazine reported the plans stay secret until a royal dies; the Daily Mail says Andrew’s funeral will be at St George’s Chapel, then burial at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore, Windsor.

Retired Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who captained HMS Fearless, said the Royal Navy would likely provide volunteers as pallbearers for Andrew’s funeral; Andrew served from 1979 to 2001.

Several royal experts told Fox News Digital that Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor feels isolated from his family. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)

Parry said, "He earned a Falklands medal and deserves credit for it. If someone asked me to do something, I’d do it."

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Prince Andrew arrived ashore with his proud father Prince Philip after HMS Invincible returned from the Falklands, welcomed in Portsmouth on Sept. 17, 1982. (Kent Gavin/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Spencer Kuvin, attorney for nine Epstein victims, said taxpayers should never fund a funeral for a private individual.

King Charles III has not seen Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor this year. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

He said no public money should be used for Andrew’s death; it would embarrass the Crown.

Fox News Digital asked Buckingham Palace for comment.

Stephanie Nolasco is an Entertainment Reporter for Fox News Digital.

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