What We Know About The 'Intense' Talks Prince Andrew Had With The Queen About His Future

Prince Andrew has lost quite a bit of clout in recent years. Following the royal's fall from grace after allegations of sexual abuse, not only is Andrew the least popular member of the family according to recent polls, but the Queen's son has lost his titles and is no longer to be referred to as His Royal Highness (via BBC).

Still, by some accounts the monarch has continued to stand by Andrew (Insider). You still won't see him at high-profile events, with one recent example being the royal's absence on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee. Incidentally, the Duke of York, a title he still holds, said he tested positive for COVID-19 at that precise time, with at least one expert calling the claim baloney (via The Washington Post).

Now, it's being reported that Andrew is the first member of the royal family to visit Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral, where she is known to spend her summers (via The International News). And just what mother and son talked about during this summit may raise a few eyebrows.

An insider talked to Express about what the Duke of York discussed with the Queen at Balmoral during his three-day visit, and said his hope is to chart a path back to a more dignified royal existence.

"He is a 62-year-old man and knows that he can't spend the rest of his days ­sitting around at Royal Lodge in Windsor, walking his dogs and ­riding horses," the so-called friend of Prince Andrew reportedly confided.

Indeed, the disgraced prince is seeking to "try to establish a route back" to official royal status, another source said. According to those who spoke with Express, Andrew hoped to chat with the monarch about what his future could look like. "But there are also wider family discussions," an insider claimed, while it was also maintained that although he is well aware that he "let his mother down badly," the duke feels since "he hasn't been convicted of a crime" there may be a way for Andrew to come back into the royal fold.

A source said, "He's hoping the Queen can influence Prince Charles and Prince William, who see no way back for him."

Prince Charles, who stands to inherit the throne upon the Queen's death, has reportedly been against his brother having any visible royal role since he was accused of sexual abuse, even opposing Prince Andrew's attendance at their father Prince Philip's memorial service in April (via Us Weekly).

Meanwhile, it's been reported that Queen Elizabeth's grandson and the royal who is second in line for the throne, Prince William, is behind permanently banning his disgraced uncle from having any official role on behalf of the family (via Daily Beast).

Given the family opposition from such senior royals, it should come as no shock that Prince Andrew reportedly wanted to spend time alone with the Queen at Balmoral.

What happens from here? We'll all have to wait and see if the 62-year-old is going to be given the green light to step up to a more official royal role in the future, or continue to languish in the shadows from here on out.