Prince Andrew was seen today with his loyal ex-wife as the disgraced duke stayed away from the traditional royal Christmas walk near Sandringham.
The Duke of York was seen today with Sarah Ferguson in a car in Windsor as other senior royals joined in Norfolk to walk and talk to fans.
The Prince has voluntarily agreed to withdraw from the celebrations at Sandringham with Fergie, MailOnline revealed last week.
Amid the alleged Chinese spy scandal to which Prince Andrew is linked, Fergie is believed to have influenced her ex-husband’s decision not to attend.
Last year he participated in the family festivities for the first time since 1992.
Sarah Ferguson shared her own Christmas message yesterday thanking everyone for their kindness and support this year while walking the late Queen’s corgis.
Prince Andrew was spotted in Windsor today with loyal Fergie
Fergie and Andrew voluntarily avoided today’s celebrations in Norfolk
Amid the alleged Chinese spy scandal to which Prince Andrew is linked, Fergie is believed to have influenced her ex-husband’s decision not to attend
The Duke of York was seen today with Sarah Ferguson in a car in Windsor as other senior royals joined in Norfolk to walk and talk to fans.
Royal editor Rebecca English said last week that Fergie had been “pivotal” in her ex-husband’s situation.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attended Royal Ascot together in 2019
The Duchess of York, dressed in a black jacket and skirt, shared the video of herself and the two dogs on her Instagram page on Christmas Eve.
In the video, the duchess said the season was a time of reflection and offered “a huge hug of kindness” to all her fans.
Ferguson said in the video: “It’s a moment of reflection and I just want to say thank you and a huge hug of goodness and kindness to those of you who have been so kind and supportive.”
‘People around the world who are feeling depressed or sad (can) just receive some bubbles of joy from us, we are sending a lot to them.
“You have to continue to show light, turn towards the light and find joy and say thank you and I really think that’s very important, so thank you.”
The Daily Mail previously revealed Her Majesty did not want to ban her brother from attending but hoped he could “do the decent thing” and decide to stay away in light of the growing spy scandal.
A suspected Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo, is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has since been banned from entering the UK following an MI5 investigation.
Tengbo has denied being a spy or doing anything illegal. He challenged his ban before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in July, but lost his appeal last week.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Sandringham this morning
Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William.
Charles greeted the spectators while Catherine held the hand of her Prince Louis, her youngest son.
The couple kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day in 1986.
Fergie attended the Christmas Day stroll with other royals last year for the first time since 1992.
A statement from Prince Andrew’s office said: “The Duke of York followed the advice of Her Majesty’s Government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.”
‘The Duke met the individual through official channels and never discussed anything of a sensitive nature. He cannot comment further on matters related to national security.’
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996 after separating in 1992, but the duchess has remained close to her ex-husband.
“Sources on both sides of the fence have told me that she has been instrumental in simply being a small, calm voice of calm in her dealings with her ex-husband and they have told me that the King understands that it is a ‘very delicate situation,'” she said. royal editor Rebecca English on Mail+’s Palace Confidential last week.
“She has been very loyal to Andrew with all his difficulties over the years, but also to be fair to her, she has been respectful to the King, the Queen and the late Queen Elizabeth.”
Fergie still lives with her ex-husband at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.