UPDATE: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie joined the royal family for the traditional Christmas Day church service today, while their father, Prince Andrew, remains absent amid ongoing controversy. The service took place at Sandringham, located about 175 km northeast of London, where senior royals gathered to greet well-wishers in brisk winter conditions.
This year’s royal Christmas gathering is particularly notable as it marks a departure from tradition, with King Charles having stripped Andrew of his titles due to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In October, Charles officially removed Andrew’s titles, including Duke of York, and ordered him to vacate his Windsor home for private accommodation within the Sandringham estate. Buckingham Palace has stated these actions were necessary to safeguard the monarchy’s reputation and expressed sympathy for the victims of abuse.
As the service commenced, King Charles and Queen Camilla led the way, followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, along with their three children. Other family members included Princess Anne, her husband Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, along with their children, as well as the king’s niece Zara and her husband Mike Tindall.
The presence of Beatrice, aged 37, and Eugenie, aged 35, at the service underscores their commitment to royal family traditions despite their father’s scandals. Andrew has consistently denied allegations of sexual abuse against Virginia Giuffre, a claim he settled in a US civil lawsuit in 2022 without admitting liability.
As the family returns to Sandringham House for lunch, anticipation builds for King Charles’ televised Christmas message later today. The absence of Andrew at such a significant family event highlights the profound impact of recent events on the royal family’s dynamics and public perception.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the royal family navigates the challenges posed by Andrew’s controversies and their implications for the monarchy.
