The Royal Family is currently gathering at Sandringham, where they'll be enjoying their beloved, and not to mention eccentric, Christmas traditions. But Prince Andrew won't be joining them. While the gag gift swapping and tree decorating gets underway, Andrew has stepped well away from this year's festivities to avoid any further embarrassment for his elder brother, King Charles III. Royal sources have confirmed he's "done the right thing", with senior members of the Firm said to be 'exasperated' by him.
The Duke of York, whose friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein brought great shame on the family, has faced yet more controversy in recent times amid a scandal involving alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who is now banned from the UK after losing an appeal earlier this month.
Now Andrew, 64, will instead be spending a quieter Christmas at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, as some 45 regal guests celebrate in style at the breath-taking Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Over the weekend, Andrew was spotted heading out on his own near Windsor Castle, ahead of what looks set to be a lonely festive period.
So what will the festive season have in store instead? Well, it seems it will be very different from last year when he was surrounded by his relatives. Instead, he will stay at his Royal Lodge home - with seemingly only ex-wife Fergie for company. The pair have an unconventional relationship. Despite being divorced, they still live together in the 30-room mansion in Windsor, amid reported attempts by King Charles to evict them. Earlier this month, Fergie declared she will always "support" the father of her children.
