Sarah Ferguson will miss Christmas tradition because of Chinese spy scandal surrounding Prince Andrew
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Sarah Ferguson had only just found her footing amidst The Firm, but it appears the Duchess of York's fierce loyalty to Prince Andrew has, once again, rocked the royal boat. Sarah, 65, who joined the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham last year for the first time since 1992, has been forced to recuse herself from this year's celebrations after Andrew's links to an alleged Chinese spy came to light.
![[Fergie was radiant as she joined Andrew and the rest of the royals for their annual Christmas walkabout last December for the first time in 30 years - following the couple's high profile divorce in 1996]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93198415-14198143-image-a-2_1734366400737.jpg)
Earlier this week, it was revealed that a 'close confidant' of the Duke, 64, was an alleged Chinese spy - today named as Yang Tengbo - who had been banned from entering the UK after an investigation by MI5, with King Charles said to be 'furious'. In the wake of the scandal, the beleaguered duke has agreed to skip the annual Christmas festivities at the Norfolk estate following counselling from his loyal ex-wife Sarah, fondly known as Fergie.
![[Andrew and Fergie will both be absent from the royal family's annual Christmas walkabout in Norfolk, after it was revealed that a 'close confidant' of the Duke, 64, was an alleged Chinese spy - today named as Yang Tengbo (left)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93198419-14198143-image-m-4_1734366427563.jpg)
The duchess is believed to have come to the royal family's rescue after King Charles and Queen Camilla privately expressed their desire for Andrew to 'see sense' and skip the public gathering next week - as the Chinese spy controversy rages on. In yet another heartbreaking show of solidarity with her ex-husband, Fergie has also agreed to skip the festivities - albeit with a heavy heart, considering the mother-of-two had only recently been welcomed back to Sandringham.
![[Fergie, who was dressed in a gorgeous emerald green coat, appeared in high spirits as she laughed and joked with onlookers during last year's walkabout - seen as a sign of Andrew and Sarah's gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/79356811-14198143-The_Duke_of_York_63_and_the_Duchess_64_walked_behind_senior_roya-a-5_1734368322354.jpg)
