Will Prince Andrew be a spectre at the Christmas feast? Buckingham Palace is still in the dark over whether the Disgraced Duke will turn up for King Charles' pre-Christmas lunch
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Buckingham Palace is still unable to confirm whether Prince Andrew will turn up for the King's pre-Christmas lunch on Thursday. Awkwardly, the names of the Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah, remain on the guest list of the festive party for around 70 members of the extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, the Mail understands.
![[Buckingham Palace is still unable to confirm whether Prince Andrew will turn up for the King's pre-Christmas lunch on Thursday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93253049-14203487-image-a-39_1734474316882.jpg)
It's claimed Andrew has insisted he has every right to attend. He is said to have told friends 'he should be there', and that as it's a family occasion, 'why shouldn't he go?'. Royal aides couldn't hide their relief on Monday after it was revealed the Duke had decided to 'do the decent thing' and spare his brother's blushes by pulling out of the official festive celebrations and the walk to church at Sandringham next week amid the furore over his association with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
![[The Duke of York attending the Christmas Day morning church service at Sandringham in 2022. Royal aides couldn't hide their relief on Monday after it was revealed the Duke had decided to 'do the decent thing' and spare his brother's blushes by pulling out of the walk]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93253191-14203487-image-a-42_1734474573961.jpg)
However, each year the monarch also invites his large extended family – aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, husbands and wives – who don't make the cut to Sandringham, to meet up for a big festive meal in London. Sources said today they still have 'no idea' whether the beleaguered royal will show up – and may not even be sure until they see who pulls up at the gates.
![[Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at Ascot in 2019. Awkwardly, the names of the Duke of York and Sarah remain on the guest list of the festive party for around 70 members of the extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/23/93253141-14203487-image-a-1_1734477469487.jpg)
In the meantime, senior royal aides are optimistically operating on the 'working assumption' the Duke will 'see sense' again and decide to 'keep his head down'. They feel his presence at 'monarchy HQ' would send a 'conflicting and confusing message', having taken what was described as 'the gentlemanly option' over Sandringham.
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