Buckingham Palace remains uncertain whether Prince Andrew will attend King Charles’ pre-Christmas lunch on Thursday. The Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are still reportedly listed as guests for the festive gathering, which will host around 70 extended members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.
Will he or won’t he?
Sources suggest Prince Andrew has expressed his belief that he has every right to be present, reportedly telling friends, “It’s a family occasion, why shouldn’t I go?” This stance has added to the uncertainty surrounding his attendance.
Royal aides, however, were relieved earlier this week when Andrew announced he would forgo the official Christmas celebrations at Sandringham and the traditional walk to church. This decision was made amid a growing scandal surrounding his alleged ties to Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
A delicate situation
Each year, King Charles invites a broad array of family members—cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws—who do not attend Sandringham, to a festive lunch in London. While the lunch is private, guests are often photographed arriving and leaving Buckingham Palace.
As of now, senior palace officials are uncertain if the beleaguered Duke will make an appearance. One insider admitted, “We still have no idea whether he’ll show up and might not know until we see who pulls up at the gates.”
For now, aides are cautiously optimistic, working on the assumption that Andrew will opt to “keep his head down” and avoid further controversy.
A conflicted message
Royal sources have voiced concerns that Andrew’s attendance at Buckingham Palace would send a confusing message. After stepping away from official royal duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, his public appearances are scrutinised for their impact on the monarchy’s image.
Despite this, there is a suggestion that Andrew might attempt to enter the palace discreetly. However, sources firmly state he should either arrive through the main entrance or not at all—“preferably the latter.”
Scandals and allegations
The Duke of York’s controversies continue to cast a shadow over the Royal Family. The latest scandal involves his association with Yang Tengbo, who referred to himself as Andrew’s “special envoy” and served as head of the Duke’s Pitch@Palace China initiative. This business venture allegedly allowed Yang to gain access to Andrew’s royal connections while the Duke received financial benefits.
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Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his actions were above board. Yet questions remain about how Yang became so close to the Duke and how he was able to visit royal residences on several occasions.
Troubling correspondence
Further fuelling the controversy is the discovery of a 2021 email from Andrew’s senior adviser, Dominic Hampshire, on Yang’s phone. The correspondence described Yang as being at the “very top” of Andrew’s trusted circle, emphasising the closeness of their relationship.
More alarmingly, Hampshire alluded to manoeuvres to bypass palace staff and security at Andrew’s Royal Lodge home in Windsor. He wrote, “We’ve carefully removed those people we don’t trust and found ways to get relevant individuals unnoticed in and out of the house.”
The identities of these individuals, and their purpose for entering the property undetected, remain unclear. Investigations are ongoing into Yang’s access to royal residences and his connections to the Duke.
A spectre at the feast?
Prince Andrew’s presence at the pre-Christmas lunch remains shrouded in uncertainty, much like his broader role within the Royal Family. For palace officials and the monarchy at large, the question is not just whether he will show up but also what his appearance might signify for the family’s already strained public image.
As Thursday approaches, all eyes will be on Buckingham Palace, waiting to see whether the Duke of York will make his appearance—or choose to remain a spectre lingering in the shadows of royal controversies.
