Following more controversy surrounding an alleged Chinese spy, Prince Andrew has decided not to attend the pre-lunch at Buckingham Palace and the Christmas Day service at Sandringham.
His absence marks a significant shift, as he has been a visible figure at the festive gathering, in recent years. The decision to step back appears to stem from a desire to avoid overshadowing the occasion.
Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 11/04/2021. Windsor, United Kingdom. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York , attends a church service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, following the death of Prince Philip , the Duke of Edinburgh.
Picture by i-Images / Pool
Scandal Involving an alleged Chinese Spy and Prince Andrew
The latest controversy involves accusations that Prince Andrew had connections to Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, an alleged Chinese spy. Yang, a businessman, was recently banned from entering the United Kingdom due to what has been described as ‘covert and deceptive activity’.
Court documents claim Yang used his ties to Prince Andrew to access Buckingham Palace and arrange meetings with former UK prime ministers. The businessman was the founder-partner of the Chinese arm of the Duke’s Pitch@Palace initiative, and visited Buckingham Palace twice in 2018 to meet Andrew. He is also said to have visited St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle at Andrew’s invitation.
While no evidence suggests that Andrew knowingly assisted Yang’s alleged espionage activities, the association has placed further strain on his public reputation.
The Duke of York has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years, primarily following his high-profile ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew returned his patronages and military affiliations to Elizabeth II in January 2022, after it was announced by a US Judge that the Virginia Guiffre case will be going to trial. Just a month later, The Duke of York and Virginia Giuffre reached a ‘settlement in principle’ in the civil claim filed in the US.
Prince Andrew answers questions regarding his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (BBC still)
The Duke of York took part in an interview with Emily Maitlis on BBC’s Newsnight in late 2019. He was questioned as to ‘why now?’ for the interview, Andrew responded that ‘there is no good time to talk about Mr Epstein and all things associated’ with him, but thinks that now is ‘a very good opportunity’. Following the car crash interview, Andrew stepped down from public duties. In his statement at the time, Prince Andrew said that he asked The Queen for permission to take this largely unprecedented move. The Duke acknowledged that his ‘former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support’
The addition of the Chinese spy controversy has only deepened the public and media focus on his actions, raising questions about his judgment and associations.
Statement on Prince Andrew’s Absence
Following the decision that Andrew would not be attending the Christmas Day service, Prince Andrew’s office issued the following statement: ‘The Duke of York followed advice from His Majesty’s Government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.’
His withdrawal from the pre-Christmas lunch was a last minute decision, he decided not to attend after speaking to his ex-wife , Sarah, Duchess of York. The Palace lunch is a private event for senior Royals and the wider family who will not be attending festive celebrations at Sandringham.
Family Dynamics at Christmas
While Prince Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor, he will be joined by the Duchess of York. The couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are reportedly spending the holiday with their respective in-laws, having not done so for a number of years.
The Sandringham Christmas gathering is a hallmark of royal tradition, featuring a church service at St. Mary Magdalene and a family luncheon. Prince Andrew’s absence is a reminder of the delicate balancing act the Royal Family continues to navigate in maintaining its public image while addressing internal complexities.
Broader Implications for Prince Andrew
This latest chapter reflects Prince Andrew’s increasingly reduced role within the monarchy. Stripped of his royal patronages and military affiliations in the wake of previous scandals, Andrew has largely retreated from public life. His absence from Sandringham serves as another indicator of the limitations placed on his involvement in royal affairs.
Observers note that this self-imposed withdrawal could signal an acknowledgment of his diminished standing within the institution. Others speculate it may pave the way for a gradual redefinition of his role as more private and subdued, allowing the Royal Family to focus on its broader responsibilities.
Public sentiment toward Prince Andrew remains polarised. However, his absence from Sandringham is seen by many as a necessary step to avoid overshadowing the festive season.
As the Royal Family gathers at Sandringham without him, the focus is expected to remain on unity and reflection during the Christmas period. For Prince Andrew, this year’s holiday will likely serve as another moment of introspection amid ongoing efforts to navigate a challenging chapter in his life.
