EXCLUSIVE: King Charles' 'Olive Branch' to 'Frozen-Out' Andrew Revealed

King Charles is set to extend what royal sources have exclusively told RadarOnline.com is an "olive branch" to his younger brother, the former Prince Andrew, by offering him the chance to spend time at Balmoral after the monarch's annual summer stay ends.

It's a move said to reflect concern over the ex-Duke of York's wellbeing despite his continued exile from public royal life.

Andrew, 66, is said to have been given the option of visiting the royal family's Scottish estate once King Charles, 77, has departed, with Andrew's princess daughters Beatrice and Eugenie already expected to attend the royals' traditional Balmoral gathering.

While Andrew remains largely absent from official royal events following the fallout from his links to the late convicted s-x offender Jeffrey Epstein, sources said the King is mindful of his brother's mental health and believes time in the Scottish Highlands could provide a welcome respite away from public attention.

A palace aide claimed: "His Majesty is under no illusions about everything the Duke of York has been through in recent years, or the personal impact the ongoing controversy and isolation have had on him. The King's view is that offering Andrew the chance to spend some quiet time at Balmoral, once the main family gathering has ended, is simply an act of compassion between brothers.

"It should not be interpreted as any form of rehabilitation or a signal that Andrew is returning to public life. The idea is to allow him to get away from Windsor, enjoy the Scottish countryside, play a little golf, clear his head and spend time in complete privacy, away from the relentless public attention that has surrounded him for so long. It is being seen as something of an olive branch to Andrew, as Charles is well aware how frozen out of the family he feels."

But rather than staying in Balmoral Castle itself, Andrew could instead be accommodated at nearby Craigowan Lodge, a property on the estate which has long been used by members of the royal family.

The lodge also carries personal significance for the former duke.

He previously stayed there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, 66, and their daughters after the late Prince Philip excluded Ferguson from staying in the main house following the couple's separation.

Another source said the arrangement would allow Andrew to enjoy the estate discreetly while respecting the sensitivities surrounding his position within the family.

They explained, "Craigowan Lodge has always provided a level of privacy that simply isn't possible in the main house, making it the obvious choice if Andrew decides to go. He would be able to spend time outdoors, walk the estate, play a few rounds of golf and enjoy the peace of the Highlands without attracting the kind of attention he inevitably receives elsewhere.

"The invitation has been extended in good faith, but there is no guarantee he will take it up. At this stage, no decision has been made, and it remains entirely Andrew's choice whether he feels comfortable accepting the King's offer."

Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 after his widely criticized BBC Newsnight interview about his friendship with Epstein.

During the broadcast, he denied allegations of sexual misconduct and attempted to explain his relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein, but the interview prompted widespread backlash and ultimately led to his withdrawal from royal duties.

The duke has consistently denied wrongdoing.

In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Epstein trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein.

Andrew has always denied the allegations, and the settlement contained no admission of liability or wrongdoing.

Since becoming monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Charles has sought to distance the institution from the scandal while maintaining a private relationship with his brother.

The King removed Andrew's use of Buckingham Palace as an office, ended his annual public allowance and made clear the duke would not return to official royal duties, decisions widely viewed as part of efforts to protect the monarchy's reputation.

Despite those measures, Charles is understood to have remained personally concerned about Andrew's welfare.

Royal observers have told Radar that while the King has drawn a firm distinction between family loyalty and public responsibility, he has continued to support Andrew privately, particularly as the duke has faced mounting scrutiny and increasing isolation following the Epstein controversy.

A royal source claimed: "The Balmoral invitation, if it is on the way, would reflect the kind of balance and compassion Charles likes within the family, while diplomatically leaving unchanged Andrew's exclusion from public royal life."