In a significant departure from tradition, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family for their customary Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year. According to sources close to the situation, the decision has been made for Andrew to “honourably withdraw” from public events over the festive period to prevent being a distraction to the celebrations.

Instead, Prince Andrew is expected to spend Christmas Day quietly at his home in Windsor. This decision comes in the wake of ongoing controversy surrounding his ties to an alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo—also known as Chris Yang—who was recently named following a High Court judgement. Yang has been barred from entering the UK under suspicions of espionage.

In a statement, Yang vehemently denied being a spy, asserting that he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful.” Furthermore, Prince Andrew’s camp has maintained that no sensitive discussions took place between him and Yang, despite claims suggesting that Yang was attempting to cultivate relationships with influential figures.

The news of Andrew's absence at Sandringham—a pivotal event in the royal calendar characterized by a public church service attended by the family—marks a stark contrast to past years when he would participate, regardless of his stepping back from royal duties after his controversial links to Jeffrey Epstein. The Prince's decision this year reflects an effort to reduce potential headlines overshadowing the family gathering, especially at a time when the monarchy seeks to present a united front.

The expected attendance at this year’s royal Christmas dinner had been set at 45 guests but could now be lower than anticipated. Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is expected to stay at Royal Lodge in Windsor, while their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have their own plans to celebrate with their in-laws.

The controversy surrounding Yang heightened after court documents revealed his previously anonymized identity. He was noted to have a “high degree of trust” with Prince Andrew and was reportedly invited to the prince's birthday party in 2020, with suggestions he was authorized to act on Andrew's behalf in dealings with Chinese investors.

With all eyes on the royals this holiday season, the absence of Prince Andrew begs the question: What does this mean for the future of his public image and relationship with the family? As royal watchers speculate, the drama continues!