While King Charles and the senior members of the Royal Family celebrate Christmas together at Sandringham, a starkly different scene is unfolding at Royal Lodge. The disgraced Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are spending what is likely their final festive season in the Windsor mansion, cast out from the traditional royal celebrations and facing an uncertain future.
A Christmas in Exile
This year marks a definitive break from tradition for the former Duke of York. In a move described by royal biographer Andrew Lownie as "much more serious" than previous exclusions, Andrew has been entirely omitted from the Sandringham festivities. This follows his being stripped of his royal titles and military affiliations earlier this year, amid intense and ongoing scrutiny over his connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Neither Andrew nor Sarah, often dubbed the "happiest divorced couple in the world," received an invitation to join the royal gathering. Their absence is a powerful symbol of their permanent exile from the inner circle. The release of the first tranche of Epstein files by the US Justice Department has cast an even darker shadow over their already gloomy Christmas, with both individuals featuring in the published photographs and documents.
The Fracturing of a Family
The couple's isolation appears to extend beyond the monarch. Royal experts note that even their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, seem to be distancing themselves to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Reports suggest Beatrice has chosen to spend Christmas abroad with friends and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, rather than face the difficult choice between her parents and the King.
"Beatrice doesn't want to cause any embarrassment and was torn between loyalty to the King and her parents," a source told The Sun. The sisters did, however, attend King Charles's pre-Christmas party for the extended Windsor family in London, appearing cheerful in photographs. In contrast, Andrew was pictured on a solitary, rain-soaked horseback ride, which body language expert Judi James described as looking like "full on Marley's ghost."
Andrew Lownie, author of the biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, believes the family unit is fracturing. "I think we are going to see the fracturing of this supposedly very close family," he stated, adding that while Sarah Ferguson may have a talent for reinvention, "he's [Andrew] toast."
A Grinch at Royal Lodge
The atmosphere inside the 30-room Royal Lodge is reported to be bleak. For the first time in two decades, Andrew has reportedly forgone his usual festive decorations. No wreaths adorn the exterior, and the impressive Christmas tree has not been erected, leading some to label him a "grinch."
Despite the lack of Christmas spirit, a source claims Andrew insists on maintaining royal protocol within the home's walls. "The butler still says Your Royal Highness, and the staff still bow. Andrew's made it clear - palace rules don't apply inside his walls. He insists it's his birthright," the insider revealed.
The pair are due to vacate Royal Lodge in the new year. Andrew is expected to move to a reportedly "ramshackle" property on the Sandringham estate, while Sarah may reside in an annex at her daughter Beatrice's home or at Princess Eugenie's property in Portugal.
One Last Hurrah?
Some commentators speculate that the former couple might use their final Christmas at Royal Lodge to host a peculiar farewell party. A source speaking to the Evening Standard suggested potential guests could include "at least one psychic" and a "junior sheikh."
This stands in stark contrast to their more public festive celebrations of the past, such as in 2014 when they were seen singing and dancing at a Surrey pub. Now, sources describe Andrew "padding around the lodge and ranting and muttering," while Fergie is said to be "pouring her heart out" to friends in a private bar on the grounds.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl confirms the couple's famous bond is under unprecedented strain. "His and Sarah’s relationship is, for the first time, very fractured," she explained. As they pack up their life at Royal Lodge, Andrew and Fergie face a lonely Christmas that signifies not just the end of their tenancy, but the conclusive end of their life within the royal fold.
