A scandal of immense proportions has shaken the British monarchy to its very foundations, with reports emerging that King Charles III has disowned Queen Camila following a shocking revelation made by Princess Beatrice. The core of the controversy centers on an allegation that Camila attempted to secretly sell a priceless royal heirloom—the sovereign’s ring—which is estimated to be worth between £350,000 and £440,000. The proceeds, it is claimed, were intended to finance a lavish villa for her cousin, Drew Edmonston. Inside the palace, tension and whispers abound as insiders reveal that this betrayal has not only fractured a marriage that has lasted decades but has also brought to light Camila’s alleged exploitation of royal privileges. At the heart of the drama is Drew, a man with a criminal past marked by fraud, whose continued association with Camila raises serious questions about how long he has benefited from her royal status. The repercussions of this scandal are profound, placing the monarchy’s future in jeopardy.

The sovereign’s ring in question is far more than a mere piece of jewelry gathering dust in a vault; it is a historic artifact steeped in royal tradition. This exquisite ring features a large sapphire, roughly the size of a quail’s egg, surrounded by dazzling diamonds said to sparkle like the tears of monarchs. It has been worn by kings and queens during their coronations since the early 19th century. Originally crafted in 1831 for King William IV, it was later resized for Queen Victoria and again for King George V.

Its gold band bears faint engravings of the initials of past rulers, symbolizing the unbroken chain of royal duty. Valued at £350,000 during a professional appraisal by Sury’s experts in 2023, the ring’s true worth lies in its symbolism and history. To lose it would be akin to losing a piece of the very soul of the monarchy. Therefore, when Princess Beatrice allegedly discovered Camila’s plan to sell this treasured item, the stakes could not have been higher.

The discovery took place on March 10th, 2025, at Clarence House during a family dinner organized to celebrate King Charles’s recovery from recent health struggles. Sources indicate that Beatrice, who was seated near Camila in the Oak Panel dining room, overheard Camila on a discreet phone call with Julian Hartwell, a London-based art dealer known for handling high-profile auctions. During the call, Camila spoke in hushed tones about discreet buyers and the need for quick cash, which left Beatrice stunned.

She waited until dessert before confronting Camila privately in the drawing room, directly asking if the ring was indeed up for sale. According to insiders, Camila’s reply was coldly indifferent; she neither confirmed nor denied the accusation but rather remarked that the ring was useless locked away and that the money would be better spent on family members in need. That family member turned out to be Drew Edmonston, and the property in question is an opulent six-bedroom villa in Onibs, France, boasting a marble terrace, an infinity pool, and sweeping views of a vineyard. The villa is listed at £400,000 by realtor Kat Dazzia, a price befitting royalty—or at least someone relying on royal largesse.

Drew Edmonston, born Andrew Drew Edmundstone in 1972, is not a random figure from Camila’s family tree. At 53 years old, he is a descendant of the Edmonstone lineage, connected to Camila through their shared great-great-grandmother Alice Keell, who was famously the mistress of King Edward III. The Edmonstones are historically linked to Dunreth Castle, a sprawling 6,000-acre Scottish estate granted by King Robert III in 1435, complete with turrets and a moat. Drew’s upbringing was privileged, attending Gordonstoun School alongside members of the royal family.

However, his life took a downward spiral in 2018 when he was convicted of a £60,000 benefits fraud scheme that involved using fake identities—including those of his sister Sophia and ex-wife Clare—to defraud local councils in Stirling and Perth. Sentenced to 21 months in prison, Drew squandered the stolen money on spread betting, losing it all within weeks. After serving his time, he disappeared from public view, but his close connection to Camila raised eyebrows.

While the queen consort rarely mentions him publicly, insiders say she has kept him close, vouching for him and arranging his presence at various high-profile events since she became queen consort in 2022. Drew has been spotted at a 2023 polo match in Windsor, a 2024 art gallery opening in Mayfair, and a private dinner at Highgrove in 2025. Those familiar with him describe Drew as charming and slick, but always hustling. One former friend remarked, “You don’t go from jail to jet-setting without someone helping you out.”

The villa deal represents the boldest allegation yet in this unfolding saga. Sources claim that Camila enlisted Hartwell, the art dealer, to discreetly sell the ring with Drew ready to pocket the profits. A French real estate agent, speaking anonymously, revealed that in December 2024 a British woman with impeccable connections inquired about the Onibs estate, suggesting a cash transaction would be completed by spring. Drew has reportedly been seen in Nice twice since then, allegedly meeting with property surveyors. If true, these facts paint a clear picture of how Camila’s royal influence has sustained Drew financially—and this time, it appears she has gone too far.

King Charles III, now 76, has weathered many storms in his lifetime—from the tragic death of Princess Diana to the departure of Prince Harry—but this scandal cuts more deeply than most. Already battling a cancer diagnosis since 2024, Charles had relied heavily on Camila for stability during these difficult times. Therefore, when Princess Beatrice burst into his study at Buckingham Palace on March 11th holding evidence of Camila’s secret auction plans—including a scribbled note with Hartwell’s phone number—Charles’s world unraveled. Eyewitnesses recall how he first turned pale, then flushed red with anger, pacing the room while muttering about trust and legacy before demanding an explanation from Camila.

The confrontation between them lasted two intense hours. Charles, seated in a velvet chair beside the fireplace, relentlessly questioned Camila, who stood near a window with her arms crossed. He accused her of selling the monarchy’s soul to a convicted conman. Camila countered by dismissing the ring as “just metal and stones” and argued that Drew’s fresh start was what truly mattered. She even pointed out Charles’s own indulgences, such as funding Harry’s security detail in 2020, but Charles was unmoved.

Witnesses say he snapped, “This is different. This is theft.” By midnight, Charles had decided Camila would be banished—not divorced but effectively exiled to Raymill, her retreat in Wiltshire, with strict orders to keep her distance. Following the incident, Charles initiated an investigation led by MI5 veteran Sir Jeffrey Tate, who has been tasked with scrutinizing Camila’s financial dealings. Early reports suggest Drew may have received around £200,000 in gifts since 2022, possibly funneled through shell companies linked to Camila’s former PR firm. If these allegations are confirmed, it could spell the end of Camila’s tenure as queen consort.

Princess Beatrice, 36, has never sought the limelight. Married to Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi and mother to two young daughters, she has maintained a relatively low profile within the royal family. However, her sense of duty compelled her to act when she accidentally overheard Camila’s phone call at Clarence House. A close friend explained that the phone was on speaker while Beatrice was retrieving wine, and she froze upon hearing Camila negotiate the ring’s reserve price.

Torn between loyalty to her uncle Charles and fear of Camila’s wrath, Beatrice confided in a close aide that night, who urged her to come forward. The ensuing confrontation between Beatrice and Camila was intense. Wearing a navy dress, Beatrice confronted Camila in a dimly lit side parlor, with the fate of the ring hanging in the balance. No one knows exactly what was said, but Beatrice left the encounter shaken yet determined. She rushed to Buckingham Palace at dawn the next day to alert Charles, ultimately saving the ring from being lost. However, those close to her worry that Camila may retaliate.

Drew, for his part, is no stranger to controversy. His criminal record and history of deception paint the picture of a man skilled in manipulation. Beyond the 2018 fraud conviction, he has a record of dodging debts, faking illnesses to claim benefits, and even impersonating a doctor in 2005, according to court documents. Camila’s rise to queen consort has given Drew a second chance. Locals in Stirling say he openly boasts about Camila’s help in rescuing him from legal trouble. Since 2022, Drew has landed consulting roles with art firms such as Huxley and Company, earning an uncharacteristic £50,000 per year despite lacking formal qualifications.

Invitations to prestigious events, including the 2024 Q Gardens gala, reportedly came through Camila’s office. Insiders believe the villa purchase is the ultimate prize in this scheme. Listed by Sury’s International Realty, the property far exceeds Drew’s reported post-prison net worth of £20,000. A French notary confirmed that a British buyer wired a £50,000 deposit in February 2025, with rumors hinting at royal connections. While Camila’s involvement is circumstantial, it is nonetheless highly incriminating. The British public has reacted with shock and outrage, viewing Camila as a manipulative figure exploiting her position for personal gain.