It might be audacious for a journalist to lecture the head of the Church of England on the true meaning of Christmas, but here we are. The latest whispers from Buckingham Palace suggest that the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, is being “urged to stay out of sight” during the festive season. Reports indicate he should skip the traditional Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch and Sandringham Church’s Christmas Day service.
One can’t ignore the calculated nature of these leaks. A “source close to the King” conveniently frames the situation: Charles is reluctant to outright ban his brother, but his courtiers may diplomatically “advise” Andrew to exclude himself. The subtext is clear: Prince Andrew is expected to bow out to spare the Royal Family potential embarrassment.
Majesty magazine’s Ingrid Seward has taken it upon herself to underline the point: “Andrew should take it on himself and decline both invites… Christmas Day is different because the walk to church is so public, and the pictures go all round the world. He should take a back seat.” Such sentiments, cloaked in propriety, strike a particularly hollow note in what is ostensibly the season of goodwill.
The hypocrisy of the season
If these reports are accurate, and King Charles has indeed sanctioned such exclusionary manoeuvres, one cannot help but question his grasp of Christian principles. Christmas, after all, is not about weeding out the undesirables in one’s family. It is about welcoming sinners, embracing the outcasts, and celebrating redemption.
The Nativity story itself is a tale of inclusion. The angels heralded Christ’s birth not to kings or nobles but to shepherds and ordinary people. The child born in Bethlehem came for all of humanity’s sins, not for the righteous, and certainly not for those ensconced in palaces. If Charles, the head of the Church of England, cannot embody these principles during the festive season, what hope is there for his Christmas message?
Forgive the theological diversion, but it’s central to the argument. Christmas is a time for forgiveness, humility, and grace. If the King is to uphold these values, he should not be casting his brother into the cold but linking arms with him on the walk to Sandringham Church, united as fellow sinners.
The case for forgiveness
It is not as if Charles himself has lived a life unblemished by sin. His well-documented affair with Camilla, now Queen, significantly altered the trajectory of his first marriage and tarnished his public image. If the King can seek and receive forgiveness for his actions, surely there is room at the Christmas table for Andrew, who has already faced public disgrace and exclusion from royal duties.
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Prince Andrew’s lapses in judgment are well-documented. His association with Jeffrey Epstein, his ill-conceived BBC interview, and his questionable friendships have caused considerable damage. But Christmas is not the time to keep score. It is an opportunity for reconciliation and to demonstrate the inclusiveness of the season’s spirit.
A moment to lead
By allowing Andrew to join the family festivities, King Charles would send a powerful message of compassion and unity. It would signal that the Royal Family, as custodians of tradition and morality, are not immune to the challenges of forgiveness and grace. It would also show the world that no one, regardless of status or mistakes, is beyond redemption.
Excluding Andrew only perpetuates the perception of a family obsessed with public image over genuine familial bonds. Charles must resist the courtiers’ whispers and embrace his brother, not for the sake of appearances but as an act of true leadership.
A brother’s keeper
Let us not forget the vagaries of birthright. Had fate dictated otherwise, Andrew might well have worn the crown. That thought alone should inspire empathy, not exclusion. Charles should not only invite Andrew to Christmas but also stand by him, showing the world that forgiveness is a cornerstone of his reign.
This festive season, the King has an opportunity to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas—not in words, but in actions. Be your brother’s keeper, Your Majesty. Let Christmas be a time of warmth, not coldness, for a family that prides itself on being the symbolic heart of the nation.
