Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was seen spending Christmas alone after his family, including his two daughters, celebrated without him. The former prince was observed leaving his Royal Lodge residence, from which he is set to be evicted. Andrew was excluded from the traditional 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, opted to spend the holidays with the royals at Sandringham, distancing themselves from their disgraced parents. Andrew was photographed driving alone out of his 30-bedroom Royal Lodge estate. Earlier this year, King Charles made the bold decision to strip his brother of all royal titles and privileges.
Despite appearing melancholic, Andrew managed to flash a thumbs-up to a staff member at the property gates. Following the “peppercorn rent” uproar, he will be forced to vacate his long-time residence and is anticipated to relocate to a property on the private Sandringham estate after the Christmas period, where the other royals were celebrating.
Residing at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who also skipped the Sandringham gathering, Andrew is expected to part ways with the property soon. Fergie will be seeking alternative living arrangements independent of her former spouse. Andrew has been under increased scrutiny recently after photos of him surfaced in the released Epstein files, although being featured in these files does not imply any wrongdoing, a stance he has consistently maintained.
Rumors circulated that Princess Beatrice might spend Christmas overseas with friends to avoid being in the vicinity of the royals or her disgraced father at Royal Lodge. The eldest daughter was seen walking from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene’s Church this morning alongside her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Other members of the royal family were also present at Sandringham, where well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of Charles, Camilla, and the rest of the family being welcomed by Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Rhys Williams before the Christmas Day service commenced.