Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reportedly turned down an invitation from King Charles to join the Royal Family at Balmoral — because he fears his relatives would treat him like an “outcast.”
The former prince, 66, has become increasingly isolated from the royals following years of scandal and controversy surrounding his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Now, Andrew reportedly has little interest in spending his summer vacation surrounded by family members who he believes no longer want him around.
“Andrew feels he’s been abandoned,” a friend told The Sun.
The source claimed Andrew now feels as though he is “no longer part of the family” and sees little reason to travel to the royal family’s Scottish estate.
“He was invited but has got no great desire to be at Balmoral as he has nothing to gain and would be treated as an outcast,” the friend said.
The source added: “What’s the point, he feels, of going all the way there for a much-needed holiday and being treated as an elephant in the room?”
Andrew’s reported decision is another sign of just how deep the divide within the Royal Family may have become.
Despite King Charles and his younger brother reportedly staying only about a mile apart at times, the two are said to have barely seen each other this year.
Andrew’s standing inside the monarchy has collapsed dramatically in recent years.
He stepped away from public royal duties amid intense scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein, and in October 2025, he was stripped of his remaining royal titles and pushed even further away from official royal life.
But despite his fall from grace, Andrew could still receive a major royal send-off when he dies.
Confidential government planning documents reportedly include the former prince among senior royals who could qualify for a ceremonial funeral.
Such preparations are routinely drawn up years in advance for prominent members of the Royal Family.
Royal experts have suggested Andrew’s eventual funeral could resemble the service held for Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister, in 2002.
Margaret was not a central working royal when she died, but her funeral still brought senior members of the monarchy together.
A similar ceremony could reportedly be considered for Andrew, potentially at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
He could also be buried at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, where several members of the Royal Family have been laid to rest.
For now, however, Andrew reportedly wants no part of the traditional Balmoral family gathering — believing a trip to Scotland would only reinforce just how far he has fallen from the royal inner circle.
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