The recent Daily Mail article by royal editor-at-large Richard Kay, published on March 13, 2026, delves into Princess Anne’s private stance and actions amid the escalating crisis surrounding her brother, Prince Andrew (referred to in some contexts as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor), particularly in relation to his long-standing links to the late Jeffrey Epstein and recent developments including his arrest.

According to insiders cited by Kay, Princess Anne has maintained a complex, evolving position: fiercely loyal to the monarchy and the King (her brother Charles), yet initially more sympathetic toward Andrew than some other family members. Her approach has been independent-minded, marked by private concern rather than public statements.

The Secret Phone Call and Reaction to Andrew’s Arrest

Kay reports that Princess Anne has continued to stay in contact with Andrew, including through phone calls, even after his arrest last month (February 2026). This arrest appears tied to allegations involving passing confidential government information to Epstein and his circle during Andrew’s time as a UK trade envoy—claims Andrew has denied.

The article describes Anne as “shaken” by the arrest and concerned about Andrew’s mental welfare as his world has “imploded.” Despite her characteristic gruff, no-nonsense demeanor (inherited from Prince Philip), she has shown ongoing worry for his well-being. This contrasts with King Charles’s public statement on the day of the arrest, which notably avoided referring to Andrew as a “brother.”

One specific example of her earlier sympathy: Until at least last Christmas (2025), Anne held a “sympathetic and tolerant” line toward him. She made a point of telephoning him at Royal Lodge on Christmas Day—while the rest of the family was at Sandringham—when he was still residing there amid eviction pressures.

The Surprising Offer She Made

In a gesture described as both charitable and familial, Anne reportedly raised the idea of Andrew moving to her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire as a “bolthole” when calls grew loud for him to leave Royal Lodge. Kay frames this not merely as kindness but as a willingness to surround him with “family love,” consistent with her character.

This echoes her past decisions: After divorcing her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, she allowed him to live in a farmhouse on the Gatcombe estate to stay close to their children, Peter and Zara. The offer to Andrew reflected her belief in family proximity and her initial acceptance of his claims of innocence regarding some of the more serious allegations.

Her Hidden Role in the Epstein Crisis

Anne has been privately angry about Andrew’s Epstein connections and the reputational shadow they cast over the royals. She has directly questioned him about them, aware of his known traits inside the family, including his pursuit of money and personal indiscretions.

Her attitude reportedly hardened after the release of Epstein files, including compromising photographs and claims about Andrew allegedly sharing sensitive information (potentially for enrichment). This made defending him “harder,” leading her to align with the broader family view: Andrew needed to be distanced to protect the monarchy’s reputation.

While she initially struggled with the idea of a son/brother/uncle of monarchs no longer being a working royal—and even found some sympathy for Andrew’s argument that title-stripping implied guilt—she now supports the King’s decision to banish him publicly. However, she remains reluctant to see him fully excluded from private family gatherings, emphasizing family, dynasty, and tradition.

What She Thinks of Kate

The article touches on Anne’s positive view of the Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton), highlighting a warm interaction at the Cheltenham Festival where Carole Middleton (Kate’s mother) clutched Anne’s arm, eliciting a “congenial and contented” reaction from Anne. Kay contrasts this with Anne’s more brusque public style elsewhere, portraying her as unpredictable yet devoted.

During periods when both King Charles and Kate faced cancer treatment, Anne “almost single-handedly kept the show on the road” with her tireless public duties—underscoring her reliability and implicit contrast to more troubled family elements. The piece does not detail direct quotes from Anne about Kate but implies approval through these anecdotes and her overall dutiful nature.

Kay portrays Anne as authentic, thrifty, and influenced heavily by both her parents—blunt like Philip, dutiful like the late Queen—while disapproving of those who air private matters publicly (e.g., Diana or Sarah Ferguson). Her role underscores her as a stabilizing force in a strained royal landscape.

This account is based on insider sources and Kay’s long-standing royal commentary; royal matters often involve private dynamics not fully verifiable publicly.