Prince Andrew is reportedly “so down” as he and Sarah Ferguson are set to spend Christmas Day isolated at Windsor, away from the Royal Family’s gathering at Sandringham.
The Duke of York and his ex-wife will remain at their Grade II-listed Royal Lodge home while King Charles hosts what is expected to be his biggest ever family Christmas celebration in Norfolk, 130 miles away.
A family friend told the Daily Mail: “Sarah is tremendously loyal and I think it unlikely she will want to leave his side, especially now he is so down.”
The couple will miss the traditional royal festivities after Andrew agreed to skip the annual celebrations and the King’s pre-Christmas lunch in London.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are set to spend Christmas Day isolated at Windsor
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The decision to skip the festivities comes as controversy rages over Andrew’s links to an alleged Chinese spy.
MI5 investigations revealed last week that Yang Tengbo, described as a ‘close confidant’ of the 64-year-old Duke, had been banned from entering the UK.
Sarah Ferguson, who celebrated her first Christmas with the royals in 30 years last year, has chosen to forgo the honour to remain with her ex-husband during this difficult period.
The couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will be spending Christmas with their respective in-laws, leaving their parents to a quieter celebration than anticipated.
At Royal Lodge, where they continue to live together despite divorcing almost 20 years ago, Andrew and Sarah may only have the company of their dogs, including the late Queen’s corgis.
They will miss traditional royal festivities including the walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, Christmas Eve gift exchange in the White Room, and the Boxing Day shoot.
The £30million Royal Lodge, set on 90 acres of land, reportedly has fallen into significant disrepair in recent months.
The mansion shows visible signs of deterioration, with cracks and black mould appearing on the exterior walls where a young Princess Elizabeth once roamed with her sister Margaret.
Prince Andrew and Sarah may only have the company of their dogs at Royal Lodge
PA
Meanwhile, King Charles is preparing for a markedly different Christmas, with Prince William revealing he will join 45 family members at Sandringham for the celebrations.
However, Royal Biographer Ingrid Seward suggested the day might not be entirely solitary, telling The Telegraph: “I cannot possibly see Fergie sitting alone at Royal Lodge.
“She has lots of friends and family and would want to be with them.
“Andrew possibly wouldn’t mind. He would sit there in front of the TV, but Sarah would organise something with Beatrice.”
