Why Prince Andrew Is Missing from the Royal Family's Christmas Walk This Year
The Duke of York did not join his brother, King Charles, for the beloved public walk to church on Christmas Day, PEOPLE reported.
Prince Andrew's absence during the royal family's traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham is notable this year. On December 25, the 64-year-old Duke and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, chose not to attend the royal gathering due to controversy surrounding Andrew's alleged connection to a Chinese spy. Their younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, also skipped the public church walk, while their older daughter, Princess Beatrice, did attend.
Princess Beatrice, 36, made a last-minute decision to participate, as she is pregnant with her second child. Her due date prompted her to stay close to home. She joined her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and stepson, Christopher Woolf, 8, for a festive church service at St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Reports indicate that Prince Andrew missed the Christmas festivities at Sandringham and the annual family church walk at St. Mary Magdalene. Moreover, he also skipped King Charles' pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace earlier in December amidst ongoing uproar about the spy scandal.
In a twist, Princess Beatrice intended to spend Christmas with her in-laws in Italy but opted to remain due to medical advice directed at her condition.
Earlier this month, Andrew found himself embroiled in another controversy due to fallout from his infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview linked to sexual assault claims and ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These issues have caused him to step away from his royal duties. Currently, Andrew is under scrutiny for his business ties with a Chinese national, Yang Tengbo, accused of espionage.
Reports allege Yang was appointed as a "business adviser" to Prince Andrew and gained alleged access to high-ranking royal family members. The Times revealed British security services identified Yang as a member of the Chinese Communist Party, involved in intelligence-gathering efforts.
As controversies unfolded, it was announced on December 16 that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson would forgo attending the royal family Christmas at Sandringham. While in 2023 they stayed at Wood Farm on the estate, they opted to spend this year’s Christmas quietly at their home, Royal Lodge in Windsor. Princess Eugenie is likely celebrating the holiday with her in-laws, while Beatrice and Eugenie traditionally participate in the royal festivities with their husbands.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward noted that Prince Andrew consulted with Ferguson regarding their absence. Despite their past issues, Ferguson understands the family's social dynamics and seems likely to support avoiding public appearances.
King Charles' frustrations with his younger brother are reportedly increasing. A source close to the family revealed that while the palace has provided support, it struggles with managing the complex dynamics created by Andrew's actions and their implications for the royal family's image.
Overall, the repercussions of individual actions continue to resonate within the royal family this holiday season.
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