It is, in many ways, the public events that determine the state of affairs within the British royal family. There are always a lot of reports about them and their relationships, but it’s often hard to know what to believe—particularly when there are conflicting reports. But things like King Charles’ willingness to meet with Prince Harry, for example, leave a clear message. And now, another clear message is being sent to two other members of the royal family.
The King is preparing to spend the holidays at Sandringham, a tradition his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, started. Last year, the King hosted 45 of his family members at the state, and this year, his wife, Queen Camilla, is expected to join him, and so are Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are also expected to join in, as is Princess Anne and her family. But what about Prince Andrew?
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The Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are reportedly missing from the list of guests. This comes after reports that King Charles wants to keep them at arm’s length ever since the latest scandal about Sarah Ferguson’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Prince Andrew has long been linked.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond recently told The Mirror: “I think it’s inconceivable that Andrew and Sarah could appear in public at Sandringham. And if they joined the family party but kept away from the public and the cameras, it could open up the King to charges of hypocrisy.”
She added, “It’s another very tricky domestic situation for Charles. He is a sensitive man, and family is important to him. Nothing can change the fact that Andrew is his brother. But these latest revelations about Fergie‘s association with Jeffrey Epstein – and the prospect that there is more to come – make it impossible for her to be part of the inner family circle again.”
Ironically, for two people who have long been involved in different scandals, last year the Duke and Duchess of York didn’t attend Sandringham because of the revelations about Prince Andrew’s association with an alleged Chinese spy.
“They have their own family to celebrate with, their two daughters, who remain so loyal to them, and their grandchildren. Now is perhaps the time for a permanent end to their Christmas celebrations with the Royal family at Sandringham,” Bond added.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the Duke and Duchess’s two daughters, have long been welcomed by the royal family despite the issues with their parents. But this year, they might choose to celebrate alongside their families, far away from the cameras. “Should the King go further? He’s not a vindictive man, but the disgrace that both Andrew and Fergie have brought on the royal family time and again over the decades must be very hard to bear,” Bond sentenced.
We know we’ll be seeing the usual suspects celebrating the holidays together this year. But right now, it feels like we’re more likely to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle than we are to see Prince Andrew and Fergie join the family for the holidays.
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