Prince Charles 'wants Prince Andrew out of the picture', 'banishing' him from Windsor Castle

Prince Charles has effectively "banished" his brother Prince Andrew from Windsor, ordering him to stay "out of the line of sight", according to The Sun.

The publication reports the Prince of Wales has taken action on the matter of his brother as the controversy around his sexual assault case against accuser Virginia Giuffre continues to unfold. Andrew has denied Giuffre's claims on all counts.

"Charles wants Andrew out of the line of sight and out of the picture. He has been warned to keep his head down," a source tells The Sun.

READ MORE: Maria Thattil: 'Why my first dateless Valentine's Day in eight years will be the best one yet'

READ MORE: Women Who Survived: How quick thinking and a 911 operator's stern warning saved Jennifer Morey's life

"Charles does not want Andrew to be photographed every other day looking happy and waving as he is driven to the castle."

This reported call from the heir apparent is a response to the news Prince Andrew will stand trial in the US for the sexual assault case brought against him by Giuffre.

It also appears to be a sign of the increasing influence Charles has had on public and royal affairs since his father Prince Philip passed last year.

In fact, it was reportedly Charles' idea to have his brother stripped of his military titles and patronages — to which the Queen agreed and actioned.

Since the act, Prince Andrew has not been spotted near Windsor Castle, and no pictures of him have been published.

READ MORE: People are baffled by James Middleton's resemblance to King George V: 'Would someone please explain this?'

Sources to The Sun claim Charles feels the Duke of York misled him three years ago when he said his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and the Virginia Giuffre sex-trafficking scandal would simply fade away.

Now, Andrew is set to make his deposition against Giuffre on March 10 and could stand for trial as a private citizen later this year, or settle out of court. However, Giuffre's lawyers have claimed they will only be swayed to settle if Andrew makes a formal apology, and only if the settlement holds the royal "to account".

In an interview with The Telegraph UK, Giuffre's New York attorney David Boies said his client was interested only in "vindication".

"What's important for Virginia is to vindicate herself and the other victims," Boies said.

"Not to let someone escape responsibility, just because of their wealth and power. To hold Prince Andrew to account. But how that vindication is accomplished is still open [to discussion].