With King Charles hosting his royal relatives at Sandringham for Christmas, disgraced younger brother Andrew is not expected to be anywhere in sight
King Charles is set to host his relatives for one of the most magical times of the year – the annual royal Christmas celebrations. But in stark contrast, his shamed younger brother Andrew will have to contend with a very different festive season, cast aside from his family.
The former Duke of York has faced a turbulent 12 months that has seen him stripped of his titles and forced to give up his lavish Royal Lodge home after months of fighting to stay to go and live on the Sandringham estate. At the end of October, the King officially stripped his disgraced brother Andrew of his HRH style and his prince title, and removed his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage over his “serious lapses” of judgment.
READ MORE: Andrew suffers final humiliation as last title stripped after King Charles requestREAD MORE: Disgraced Andrew’s ‘ramshackle home revealed’ as items moved from Royal Lodge
The former prince Andrew who is not expected to join the royals this Christmas (Image: PA)
The move followed the publication of a posthumous memoir by Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and the US government’s release of documents from Epstein’s estate.
It emerged that Andrew had emailed Epstein in 2011 saying “we’re in this together”, three months after he claimed he had broken all contact with the paedophile. Andrew denies all wrongdoing.
While the Royal Family are heading to Sandringham for festivities in the coming days, Andrew will almost certainly not be among them. And according to royal expert Jennie Bond, this comes as no surprise. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “I think it’s obvious that Andrew‘s relationship with the rest of the Royal Family is, to say the least, extremely strained.
Andrew with former wife Fergie (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“You only have to look at the pictures of him trying to cosy up to William at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral to understand just how awkward things are. William virtually blanked him. I think the rest of the Royal Family will be mightily relieved that he won’t be there.
It’s not the first year that he has been unwelcome: last year, he was asked to stay away because of his association with an alleged Chinese spy.
“It is, though, the most obvious and public sign that he is ostracised and an embarrassment to the family. And that must feel pretty unpleasant. It looks set to be rather a miserable time for the disgraced Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Chrsitmas cheer at the Windsor mansion seems in short supply as it has been claimed that for the first time in 20 years, the King’s disgraced brother has not even felt up to decorating his home for the festive season
However, in the coming weeks, Andrew looks set to leave Royal Lodge for good after being forced to give up the lease. An old farmhouse on the estate has reportedly had renovations started on it to prepare it for Andrew to move in. The property, called Marsh Farm, is around seven miles from the main Sandringham House and it’s said a no-fly zone over Sandringham has been extended to include the property.
But not going with him is his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, whom he has lived with at the Windsor mansion for many years. Fergie is said to be finding her own future accommodation – and Jennie says Christmas could highlight their family divisions, especially as their eldest daughter Princess Beatrice has reportedly decided to spend the festive season with friends abroad.
Andrew with older brother the King and nephew Prince William(Image: Getty Images)
She added: “Royal Lodge is said to be in quite a state, and many of his possessions have already been removed. The status of his relationship with his ex-wife, Sarah, is also up for debate.
“They once seemed almost inseparable, even though they were divorced. But it looks as if the strain of the Epstein scandal may have caused them to rethink their future together.
“Christmas has a habit of heightening emotions and exacerbating family divisions – even though it’s meant to be a season of goodwill. One thing is for sure: this is the last time Andrew will spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, if that’s where he chooses to stay.
“It has been his family home for more than 20 years and I’m sure he has many happy memories of family celebrations there. And that is bound to make him feel rather sad – and probably resentful.”
As Andrew looks set to begin 2026 in a new home with a new life in Norfolk, he will no doubt be hoping for a scandal-free New Year. But Jennie explained: “There are still many more Epstein documents and emails to be released, but I suspect that the most damaging revelations about Andrew’s friendship with him are already in the public arena.
“But the threat of more scandal around the corner will remain for some time – not only about Epstein, but about Andrew’s financial dealings and arrangements. It is not a story that investigative journalists are ready to let rest.”
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