With all their festive traditions (think: luxury gifts, carol services, and multiple Christmas trees) it's no wonder that the Royal Family spend much of the year preparing for the holiday season. But, this year, two royals will be noticeably missing from the Sandringham Estate–where the Royal Family typically celebrates Christmas–as they have been uninvited by King Charles.
According to The Times, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have both been asked by the monarch not to join the family at Sandringham this year due to further revelations in the press about their ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That being said, Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in regards to his ties to the former businessman, while Sarah has previously apologized for maintaining a friendship with him.
"You can't sack someone from being your brother," a royal insider told The Times of King Charles' strained relationship with Andrew, as well as his plans for the upcoming holiday season. The source went on to suggest it would be "honorable" if both the Duke and Duchess of York skipped the family's festivities, and helped the King in "avoiding" any more "difficult decisions."
Such a move, the insider claimed, would be "for the best" and would not "disappoint" the rest of the Royal Family.
As well as steering clear of Sandringham this December, Andrew and Sarah have also apparently been advised by the King to "stay invisible" at public events, using side entrances and exits where possible to remain out of view.
In the same article for The Times, the royal insider said that Charles hopes the pair can "find a more discreet way" of attending public events, adding that Andrew seemingly enjoys the prospect of "not being low-key."
