This month the Royal Family have been faced with yet another fresh crisis as new allegations against Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson continue to emerge as part of the on-going investigation into convicted peadophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

But away from the furore and swirling headlines of private jet rides, damning emails and alleged massages engulfing the Yorks, King Charles and Prince William appear to have discreetly slipped away for a boys’ trip to Balmoral Castle, Scotland.

At the end of last week, following a visit with Kate Middleton to meet with the bereaved parents of the Southport tragedy, it was reported that William had been spotted arriving at Aberdeen airport.

Charles, 76, and William, 43, are reported to have made this father and son trip for the last three years, with royal sources revealing how walks in the Highlands and time to bond as King and heir have provided respite for the pair as responsibility undoubtedly continues to weigh heavy on their shoulders. – now more than ever.

However, an insider now tells us that this trip in particular spelled a series of ‘crisis talks’ between Charles and William, as they reveal how the monarch had been forced to clear the air with his eldest son after a period of tension between them.

The insider says, ‘Getting William out to Balmoral for this father-son summit was a chance for them to have the peace and privacy they needed to really hash things out and quell the noise that’s been building about their own issues.

‘This meeting was also aimed at reminding William that he’s still not at the helm. Charles appreciates all the ways he’s been helping, but he’s not ready to hand over the reins just yet and he’s losing patience with how hard William’s been pushing.’

And the source says that the most crucial part of the meeting for Charles, who celebrated his coronation in May 2023, was to make strides towards ‘soothing’ over the rifts within the family.

Following Charles’ shock diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer last year, for which he is receiving on-going treatment for, it has been widely reported that the monarch has now embraced a spirit of forgiveness.

William, meanwhile, has reportedly been urging his father to take a harder stance – something, our source says, Charles has now had to ‘reprimand’ him for.

They tell us, ‘There’s a real sense that the King is trying all in his power to soothe over family tensions and get things in order before William takes the Crown and he needs them to be united whilst they implement new changes.

‘Charles has his own mind and many more years of experience under his belt and the last thing he wants to do is upset William, but he’s also not going to give in to every demand he makes, especially when it comes to other family members.’

And the source says the saga involving Prince Harry was high on the agenda, as Charles urges William to put their differences aside for the sake of the better good.

William is reportedly still ‘furious’ over the claims, including those of bullying and racism, that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have levelled at the royals in the nearly-six years since they stepped down as senior working royals.

But now our source says Charles is encouraging William to forgive his younger brother and warning him that ostracising the Sussexes could only make the situation worse.

©WireImage

The insider says, ‘Charles is urging William to swallow his pride and see the bigger picture. In Charles’ view, even if William doesn’t want to be close with Harry or Meghan there’s no point alienating them.

‘He says he’s got good reason for his decisions, even in respect to Harry, and he needs William to respect that.

‘He promised William he’s not simply handing Harry back the keys to the castle, this is not going to be a case where all is forgiven, but he also believes it’s better to show some forgiveness.’

And while many have questioned Charles’ actions in allowing Andrew and Sarah to remain at Royal Lodge, the source says the monarch is determined to play the long game when it comes to protecting the future of The Crown.

‘Just look at the way he’s dealing with Andrew. Everyone knows he’s furious with him and would love him to be gone and out of sight, but it’s not that simple,’ the insider says.

‘The fact is, Andrew poses a serious threat if he’s not handled properly. The last thing they need is another family member going on a rampage against them.

‘Charles is thinking strategically and choosing not to be heavy handed with his brother to avoid the fallout of another war.’

Meanwhile, Harry alleged in his 2023 memoir, Spare, that William’s ‘piping hot’ temper led to him physically attacking his brother and ‘knocking him to the floor’ during an argument over Meghan.

And, while neither have ever commented on the ‘attack’, the source says Charles is now urging William to keep any anger he holds in check and follow his lead when he one day becomes King himself.

‘He needs for his son to stay stable and cool-headed, not flying off the handle and waging war with his own flesh and blood,’ the insider says.

‘Charles wants to impress upon him the importance of learning to pick his battles wisely. That’s something Charles learned from his own mother and it’s something he lives by and now he wants William to do the same. Being King is a very political game and patience and diplomacy are key.