A Sutherland castle owner has offered her property as a private retreat for Prince Andrew, amid reports that King Charles is considering sending his brother to spend time at the Castle of Mey in Caithness to further distance him from public life.
Barrister and businesswoman Samantha Kane, who owns Carbisdale Castle near Ardgay, said she has written to the Duke of York offering the castle for his “exclusive use” as a more fitting and private Highland residence.
Samantha Kane, the high-profile owner of Carbisdale Castle is offering the beleagured Prince Andrew a home at the castle.Prince Andrew.Carbisdale Castle. Picture: On The Market.
“I feel strongly that he is being hounded unfairly,” Ms Kane said. “He remains innocent of these allegations and deserves to be treated with fairness rather than by the court of public opinion.”
The offer comes after speculation that the King is urging Andrew to relocate to the Queen Mother’s former home at the Castle of Mey, with royal biographer Andrew Lownie suggesting the move would help “get him out of the spotlight”.
Ms Kane said her own castle “is more fit to receive a prince” and noted its long royal connections.
Prince Andrew, 65, recently announced he would no longer use his royal titles, including Duke of York and Earl of Inverness, following discussions with the King.
In a statement earlier this month, he said that ongoing accusations about him “distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family”.
The Duke has faced sustained public criticism over his past friendship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, though he paid an undisclosed sum in 2022 to settle a civil lawsuit brought by one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, without any admission of liability.
A recent YouGov poll found that 63 per cent of Britons strongly supported formally removing Andrew’s dukedom, with a further 17 per cent saying they somewhat supported it.
Despite being largely absent from public duties since 2019, the Duke continues to live at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
However, reports suggest the King may be keen for him to move north permanently.
Ms Kane, who has invested millions restoring Carbisdale Castle with plans for a luxury redevelopment, said she hoped the Duke would consider her offer.
“The castle has strong royal links and would provide the privacy and dignity he deserves,” she said. “I would welcome him and his family to Sutherland.”
She has also offered to represent the Prince against any moves to oust him from his current property, Royal Lodge.
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