Will Prince Andrew Be Banned From Walking to Church with Royal Family on Christmas Day?

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Photo:JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty

Prince Andrewis being pressured to keep a low profile in the wake of the scandal involving hisalleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy.

Reports in the U.K. now suggest that the Duke of York faces a crucial decision: fall in line and not attend the annual royal family holiday party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday or church on Christmas Day alongside the royals, or turn up and risk the ire of Charles and courtiers who believe he should stay out of the limelight.

It puts the King in a tricky situation as he has shown support for his younger brother, 64, in recent years, inviting him – and his ex-wifeSarah Ferguson– to join in the public side of the Christmas festivities. But, mindful of political and public pressure around Andrew’s ties to the alleged Chinese spy, pressure is rising for action to be taken, and Charles would not want to be forced to ban Andrew from attending.

Prince Andrew at the memorial service for King Constantine, Windsor Castle, Feb. 27, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Therefore, the ball would seem to be in Prince Andrew’s court to make that decision himself. He “should do the decent thing and voluntarily withdraw from public view over Christmas,”palace insiderstold The Timeson Dec. 16.

Prince Andrew at Sandringham on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty

According to the outlet, palace sources suggest that “the onus should be on Prince Andrew to keep a low profile, rather than forcing the King to decide whether or not his brother should be banned from showing his face.”

The Daily Telegraphreports a source saying that a decision to bar Andrew is “really hard” for Charles and the hope is that he will spare the King’s “blushes” and decide himself.

“It would be a bitter pill for the embattled [Andrew] to swallow” the outlet suggests.

Prince Andrew and Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson at Sandringham, with the rest of the royals, on Dec. 25, 2023.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty

The Sunwas more blunt: “’Banned Old Duke of York’” was its front-page headline. It said he “must ‘uninvite himself’ from the Royal Family’s Christmas bash” due to his friendship, according to insiders. There are two high-profile gatherings ahead—one with the extended family on Thursday, Dec. 19, and the other on Christmas Day itself, when the royals will parade to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Buckingham Palace had no comment.

Yang was described in court last week as having developed an “unusual degree of trust” with Andrew. A recent tribunal hearing revealed that Yang had been authorized to act on Andrew’s behalf during meetings with Chinese investors in the UK and was invited to Andrew’s 60th birthday party in 2020.

He has denied allegations of espionage, stating, “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful,” and calling the claims against him “entirely untrue.” He added that he sought to have his anonymity lifted to publicly refute the claims.

Andrew’s office said last week in a statement sent to PA that the prince ended his relationship with Yang after receiving government advice, emphasizing that their interactions were through “official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.”

Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L) and Sarah, Duchess of York (R) arrive for the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on December 25, 2023.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty

The Duke of York last avoided church on Christmas Day in 2019, soon after he steppedback from public dutiesfollowing hisbombshell interview with the BBCabout his ties to convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and announced his step back from royal duties a few days after the explosive interview aired. The royal said he continued to “unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein” in theofficial statementannouncing his decision.

The transition was made official when the lateQueen Elizabethstripped Andrew of his military titles and patronagesin January 2022 amid Giuffre’scivil sexual assault lawsuit. An out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sumwas reachedthe following month.

Prince Andrew with his brother King Charles (r) at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 19, 2022.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Andrew has since been involved in a tug-of-war over whether or not he and his ex-wife, Sarah the Duchess of York, would be able to stay at Royal Lodge, a vast home on the Windsor estate.

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source: people.com