Queen Camilla 'blocking crunch talks' between King Charles and Prince Andrew amid siege of Royal Lodge

The brothers are currently on holiday together at Balmoral Castle - however, Queen Camilla, 77, is keeping the pair "at arm's length", a source has claimed.

A close friend of the King and Queen said: "Charles does not like confrontation at the best of times and especially when he is on holiday.

"They are not in each other's pockets at Balmoral and probably only regularly see one another at dinner.

"This summer the King needs rest more than ever.

"The cancer treatment has been tiring and it makes him often fall asleep.

"I can't think of anything guaranteed to make him go off the deep end than to have Royal Lodge brought up."

In February earlier this year, Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and would undergo treatment.

At first, Charles stepped back from public-facing duties to focus on his recovery.

However, in April, the father-of-two began attending public engagements once again, even travelling to France for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The source continued to tell The Mail that Camilla is likely protecting her husband whilst at Balmoral to ensure he does not get too tired.

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They added: "At Christmas, Andrew did try to get a meeting with the King and she kept him at arm's length."

King Charles is following in the tradition of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who would take up residence at Balmoral until October each year.

Last week, the 75-year-old inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the gates of Balmoral, as he took up summer residence at the castle.

As well as the Yorks, the King and Queen are expected to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.