Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was seen spending Christmas by himself after his family, including his two daughters, opted to celebrate separately from the disgraced former royal. The ex-prince was observed leaving his Royal Lodge residence, from which he is soon to be evicted. Andrew was excluded from the customary Christmas gatherings held by the Royal Family at Sandringham due to the controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie decided to join the royal festivities at Sandringham, leaving their disgraced parents behind. Andrew was captured driving alone out of his 30-bedroom Royal Lodge mansion. Earlier this year, King Charles stripped his brother of all his royal titles and privileges.
Despite appearing despondent, Andrew managed a cheerful thumbs-up to a staff member at the property gates before departing. He is expected to vacate his long-term residence due to the uproar over the nominal rent he was paying. Andrew is anticipated to relocate to a property on the private Sandringham estate after the Christmas period.
At Royal Lodge, Andrew resides with his former wife Sarah Ferguson, who was also absent from the Sandringham gathering. Ferguson will be departing the property separately from Andrew and is expected to arrange her own living accommodations. Recent scrutiny intensified on Andrew with the emergence of photos of him in the Epstein files, although he has consistently denied any wrongdoing associated with them.
Rumors circulated that Princess Beatrice might opt to spend Christmas abroad with friends to avoid being in the company of the royals or her disgraced father at Royal Lodge. The eldest daughter was seen walking hand in hand with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene’s Church this morning, dressed in a brown coat.
The remaining members of the Royal Family were also observed at Sandringham, where well-wishers braved the cold to catch a glimpse of the family. Charles and Camilla were greeted by the Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Rhys Williams before the Christmas Day service commenced.