Fresh claims surrounding the British royal family are reigniting questions about King Charles’ complicated relationship with his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — and this time, the spotlight has shifted toward Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

According to royal author Andrew Lownie, King Charles may now find himself emotionally trapped by an alleged agreement made behind palace walls when Andrew was quietly pushed out of Royal Lodge amid mounting public pressure surrounding his past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

For years, Andrew has remained one of the monarchy’s most controversial figures. Since stepping back from public royal duties, the disgraced duke has largely disappeared from official royal life while scrutiny over his past associations continues to follow both him and the institution itself.

Last year, reports claimed Charles had intensified efforts to distance the monarchy from further reputational damage by stripping Andrew of remaining royal privileges and pressuring him to leave Royal Lodge, the sprawling Windsor estate he had occupied for decades.

Andrew eventually relocated to the King’s Sandringham estate, fueling speculation that Buckingham Palace was determined to quietly phase him out of public royal life altogether.

But according to Lownie, the arrangement may not have been as straightforward as it appeared publicly.

Speaking to the Mirror, the royal author suggested that Charles may have privately reassured Andrew that his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, would continue maintaining their positions within the royal fold despite their father’s growing isolation.

“He might be under pressure from Andrew because I think a deal was done to get him out of Royal Lodge that said, ‘We’ll take care of your daughters,’” Lownie claimed.

“So he would be kind of torn and can’t go back on that deal.”

The alleged agreement, if true, would place Charles in an increasingly difficult position as different factions within the monarchy reportedly disagree over how closely Andrew’s family should remain connected to official royal life.

Unlike their father, Beatrice and Eugenie have largely managed to avoid direct public backlash and have continued appearing at selected royal events in recent years. However, their status within the monarchy has often appeared uncertain.

Royal watchers have repeatedly noticed what many describe as mixed signals coming from the Palace.

At times, the sisters appear fully welcomed into major royal gatherings and public appearances. At other moments, reports emerge suggesting they are being quietly sidelined as the monarchy attempts to modernize under Charles and future King William.

According to Lownie, the divisions inside palace walls may now be deeper than ever.

“You get the sense of distancing,” he explained, before suggesting there are “two schools of thought” within the royal family.

He claimed that Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Queen Camilla are believed to favor keeping Andrew and those closely associated with him at “arm’s length” in order to protect the monarchy’s public image.

Meanwhile, Charles himself is reportedly viewed as more emotionally conflicted due to family loyalty and long-standing personal ties.

“There’s Charles who is a bit sentimental and feels obligated to be protective,” Lownie alleged.

The situation has reportedly become even more delicate due to renewed attention surrounding Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife.

Although divorced since 1996, Sarah has remained unusually close to both Andrew and the wider royal family. She has continued attending royal gatherings over the years and was most recently seen publicly alongside senior royals during the funeral of the Duchess of Kent.

However, recent scrutiny surrounding documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein has reportedly intensified pressure on both Andrew and Sarah, prompting speculation about whether the Duchess of York could eventually speak publicly about the controversy.

Lownie even suggested discussions may now involve financial security and future royal support.

“That may be what Fergie’s negotiating at the moment,” he claimed. “Can she get a nice pension from them and not have to do an Oprah interview?”

The explosive suggestion reflects growing fears inside royal circles that further public revelations or interviews connected to Andrew could inflict additional damage on the monarchy at a time when King Charles is already facing enormous pressure.

As Charles continues balancing public duties alongside ongoing cancer treatment, palace insiders say the King is also attempting to protect the monarchy’s long-term stability — something Prince William is reportedly prioritizing even more aggressively as future heir to the throne.

For now, Buckingham Palace has declined to publicly address the claims, and representatives connected to Sarah Ferguson have also remained silent.

But the latest reports have once again exposed the fragile balance between family loyalty, public reputation, and survival inside one of the world’s most scrutinized institutions.

Because behind the royal ceremonies and polished public appearances, the House of Windsor may still be struggling with one painful question:

How far can the monarchy truly distance itself from scandal when family remains at the center of it all?