Princess Anne leads the royal family’s ‘Secretive Back Andrew’ campaign

Another insider called Anne’s efforts more protective than challenging.

They added: “From her perspective, the situation has gone far beyond what she considers fair or reasonable.

“She believes that their late mother expected the matter to be handled calmly and with a degree of compassion, and that this top-secret effort by Back Andrew is about limiting further personal damage rather than rewriting the past.”

The pressure has reportedly opened a rift with 78-year-old Queen Camilla, who is said to be backing a hard line to protect the royal family.

“She simply cannot understand why Anne chooses to stand up for behavior that she believes is indefensible,” the source said.

“As far as Camilla is concerned, any attempt to ease the pressure on Andrew or Sarah is something that must be resisted at all costs.”

Insiders say the dispute has reignited long-standing personal tensions between Anne and Camilla, dating back to the 1970s, when both were linked to Andrew Parker Bowles, now 86.

An insider said: ‘There is a lot of unresolved history between them. Although they managed to keep it hidden for years, this episode has reopened old wounds.

“Anne believes Camilla is overstepping her role, while Camilla believes Anne is unable to separate family loyalty from sound judgment.”