A fresh controversy surrounding Prince Andrew has cast a shadow over the royal family's Christmas celebrations.
According to Fox News, the Duke and Duchess of York have declined King Charles' invitation to join the royal family's Christmas festivities at Sandringham House following Prince Andrew's alleged connections to a Chinese spy.
The decision affects not only Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson but also extends to their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who will not participate in the traditional morning church services or Christmas lunch.
This development comes after recent revelations about Prince Andrew's association with Yang Tengbo, a Chinese businessman who was publicly identified following the lifting of High Court restrictions on an anonymity order.
Prince Andrew's office responded to the allegations by issuing a statement acknowledging that they had severed ties with the Chinese businessman upon official advice. They emphasized that their interactions never involved sensitive information. Yang Tengbo has publicly disputed the characterization of him as a spy, releasing a statement to Sky News declaring the widespread description of him as a "spy" as completely false.
The royal family's Christmas celebrations, traditionally held at the Sandringham House, will proceed without the Yorks' presence. While their absence from the morning church services and lunch is confirmed, their participation in other royal Christmas traditions, including a family gathering scheduled for Thursday, December 19, remains uncertain.
The Duke and Duchess of York are expected to spend Christmas Day at their Windsor Castle estate residence, the Royal Lodge. This marks a significant change from their 2023 Christmas appearance, where they surprised royal watchers by attending services together at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
Prince Andrew's position within the royal family has undergone significant changes in recent years. Despite being eighth in line to the throne, his status as a senior working royal was terminated following controversies surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein. In January 2022, the palace took decisive action by stripping him of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
The prince's previous Christmas appearance in 2023 saw him walking behind King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside other family members, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. That public showing marked a rare moment of family unity, which stands in stark contrast to this year's separation.
Yang Tengbo, responding to the allegations in a statement to Sky News, firmly denied the accusations, calling the portrayal of him as a "spy" completely false.
This controversy has added pressure to the royal family’s public image as they deal with ongoing challenges, including King Charles' leadership and efforts to uphold family traditions. The York family’s absence from Christmas celebrations reflects the royal family’s cautious approach to managing Prince Andrew’s public role and appearances.
Despite these developments, Christmas celebrations at Sandringham House will proceed with the remaining royal family members, preserving their traditional observances. This situation underscores the royal family’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition with the need to maintain distance from contentious issues.
Prince Andrew's latest controversy and subsequent Christmas absence reflect the continuing repercussions of his various scandals. The Duke of York, along with Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, will observe Christmas away from the main royal gathering, marking another chapter in the family's complex dynamics. The decision to decline the Christmas invitation demonstrates the royal family's careful approach to managing public appearances and family relations in light of ongoing controversies.
