The festive season delivered a stark message of royal exile for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who spent Christmas Day alone while his daughters joined the King's celebrations at Sandringham.
A Solitary Departure from Royal Lodge
The former Duke of York was seen driving himself from his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, wrapped in a scarf and casual waterproof jacket. This solitary image stood in sharp contrast to the scene at the Norfolk estate, where his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were surprise guests amongst the senior royals. The sisters, accompanied by their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, participated in the traditional Christmas morning walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
Their attendance followed a clear directive from King Charles III, who has made it known that while his brother is unwelcome at family gatherings, his nieces should not be punished for their father's actions. A palace source emphasised, 'His Majesty is very fond of them.' The King has previously stripped Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and forced him to relinquish his HRH style.
Public and Family Backing for the Princesses
More than 500 well-wishers gathered in the cold at Sandringham, with many expressing support for the King's decision to include Beatrice and Eugenie. Hilary Marsh, 73, from Cambridgeshire, stated: 'Beatrice and Eugenie are marvellous girls. They've done nothing wrong and it must be quite hard for them.' Another spectator, James Taylor, 41, noted that the removal of Andrew's titles showed the family was taking matters 'seriously'.
The Christmas gathering was led by a beaming King Charles and Queen Camilla, who wore festive red. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their children, and Princess Anne with her family. The Wales children, particularly Prince Louis, delighted the crowds by accepting gifts and chocolate selection boxes.
Ongoing Shadows and an Impending Move
Andrew's absence comes amid continued public scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this month, Marina Lacerda, a victim of Epstein, told the Daily Mail that Andrew would have been arrested 'if he were a regular guy'. The Duke has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
His continued presence at the 30-room Royal Lodge is also time-limited. The Daily Mail revealed he would spend one final Christmas there before an expected move to a smaller home on the Sandringham estate early next year. Although no firm departure date is set, removal vans have already been seen taking boxes of belongings from Royal Lodge.
This Christmas has therefore cemented a new, painful reality for the King's brother: excluded from the heart of the family while his daughters, the 'blood princesses', are welcomed back into the fold, their York titles intact but their father firmly left out in the cold.
