Inside Prince Andrew’s lonely Christmas after Chinese ‘spy’ scandal scuppers plans

It has been revealed that Prince Andrew will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family at Sandringham for their traditional Christmas celebrations next week – and here we take a look at what’s in store instead for the disgraced Duke

The Royal Family are no doubt making their last-minute preparations for a traditional Sandringham Christmas.

But one member of the Firm whose Christmas plans now lay in tatters is Prince Andrew’s. The disgraced Duke of York has decided to stay away from the festivities to avoid further embarrassing the King, sources have disclosed, after being embroiled in a scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy.

Andrew’s latest nightmare was exposed after the alleged Chinese spy lost his appeal last week against being barred from the UK. The King and other senior royals are said to be ‘exasperated’ by Andrew as he heaps further shame on the monarchy. Royal sources confirmed Andrew had “done the right thing” by stepping away from the Christmas gathering.

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 as despite them both being divorced, they still live together in the 30-room mansion in Windsor. Just this weekend, she said she will always “support” the father of her children.

She added: “I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100 per cent. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. It’s still with us today. I won’t let him down.”

Of course, Andrew and Sarah have their two daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who also have three children between them. But sources have said they will be spending Christmas with their respective in-laws for the first time this year. Beatrice, who is expecting her second child, will be with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their three-year-old daughter Sienna. While Eugenie will be with her husband Jack Brooksbank and his family along with their sons August and Ernest.

Andrew, now 64, disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019, but he carried on joining the royal family for Christmas Day. Last year, he walked from Sandringham House to church with the other royals – seen as symbolic in his gradual rehabilitation within the family.

After the service, the duke laughed and threw up his hands as he joked with well-wishers, and was joined by his ex-wife duchess, who made a return to the royal fold after missing Sandringham for a number of decades.

Andrew’s status as a member of the royal family was left in tatters when the late Queen later stripped him of his honorary military roles, remaining royal patronages and he gave up his HRH style in a dramatic fallout from his civil sex case. He no longer attends Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph or the annual Commonwealth Day service.

But he was at the King’s coronation, and is still a member of the Order of the Garter, taking part in the senior order of chivalry’s annual service behind closed doors, but does not appear in the public procession.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told the Mirror: “His irresponsible behaviour and dubious friendships have exasperated his older brother for some time now. But nothing has been quite as damaging to the monarchy as Andrew’s current situation. It involves the British government, MI6 and the Chinese government. It is almost like a television spy special.

“The King cannot be seen to have anything to do with it. But can he dismiss his brother? He will leave it up to his advisors to deal with. That is why Kings throughout history have surrounded themselves with what we now call ‘grey men’.

“No doubt Charles’s kind heart will allow Andrew to be around as long as he doesn’t show his face in public. As it turns out Andrew took the right decision as advised by Fergie, and cancelled out of Christmas at Sandringham. In his world of extraordinary privilege that might be punishment enough.”