Andrew feels ‘abandoned’ by royal family, rejects King Charles’ invitation over outcast fears: experts

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly feels "abandoned" by his family as his royal exile deepens.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that friends are reportedly checking in regularly on the former Duke of York and "he's certainly not hiding away" from them.

"Rather than spending the summer at Balmoral hidden away with the rest of the family, Andrew seems to be opting for time abroad with friends," she said.

"Allegedly, he feels abandoned by certain family members." FORMER PRINCE ANDREW SPOTTED WITH BRUISE COVERING HALF HIS FACE AS MYSTERY INJURY SPARKS QUESTIONS British royal expert Hilary Fordwich echoed Chard's sentiments, citing her sources.

"Andrew isn't important anymore," said Fordwich.

"No one is very concerned about how he's feeling.

However, it's important to ensure he doesn't cause any more damage to the monarchy." WATCH: FORMER PRINCE ANDREW REMAINS IN DENIAL OVER EPSTEIN SCANDAL: AUTHOR A friend of the ex-royal's told The Sun that "Andrew feels he's been abandoned" and "he feels like he is no longer part of the family." "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 unnamed friend told the outlet.

"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 stepped away from royal duties in 2019 following a widely criticized BBC "Newsnight" interview in which he attempted to explain his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .

In 2022, he was stripped of his military titles and patronages by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II , as he faced Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault lawsuit against him.

Andrew and Giuffre settled out of court for an undisclosed sum that year.

Giuffre died in April 2025.

In October 2025, King Charles III stripped his younger brother's royal titles as Andrew faced renewed scrutiny over his ties to Epstein.

The scrutiny intensified following the publication of Giuffre's posthumous memoir and the release of documents detailing Andrew's relationship with Epstein.

GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE Buckingham Palace also served Andrew formal notice to surrender the lease on his longtime residence, Royal Lodge.