The Duke and Duchess of York might not be invited to Sandringham this year

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie could face a “very difficult” situation at Christmas if their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, aren’t invited to the royal family’s annual gathering, a commentator has claimed.

Journalist Phil Dampier told the Daily Mail that the royal sisters might “feel it would be unfair” of them to join King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, at Sandringham for Christmas if their parents aren’t invited.

It’s been reported that both Prince Andrew, 65, and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson could be snubbed from the gathering amid a new Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Sarah Ferguson is under fire for an email she sent Jeffrey Epstein (Credit: Cover Images)

Sarah Ferguson scandal over Epstein email

Recent reports revealed that the Duchess of York, 65, wrote to late convicted sex offender Epstein in 2011 to apologise for publicly cutting ties with him. And now, sources claim that Andrew and Fergie may be excluded from the Christmas gathering with the royal family.

In an April 2011 email, just weeks after publicly vowing to cut ties with Epstein, Sarah referred to him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend”.

She allegedly told Epstein in the email that she had been “advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you”.

Last week, a spokesperson for Sarah said she was “taken in by his lies”. They said she had sent the email as Epstein had “threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia”.

Meanwhile, Andrew’s association with Epstein has haunted the royal family for years.

Prince Andrew and Sarah could miss Christmas with royals

Now, reports claim that the Duke and Duchess of York may miss this year’s festive celebrations with the royals.

An insider reportedly told The Sunday Times that it would be “very much for the best” for Andrew and Sarah to miss the Christmas gathering  at Sandringham.

The source said: “You can’t sack someone from being your brother.

“But this year, if the duke and duchess were both to be as honourable [as last year], it would be very much for the best and the family would not be disappointed. Not least to avoid the king having to make any more difficult decisions.”

Sources told the newspaper that Charles would prefer it if they were “invisible” at future gatherings. This would include arriving and leaving through discreet entrances where they can.
Beatrice and Eugenie could face a “difficult” situation at Christmas (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Beatrice and Eugenie ‘in very difficult’ position

Last year, Eugenie, 35, spent Christmas with the family of Jack Brooksbank, her husband, while Beatrice, 37, went to Sandringham as usual. The only other time either of them has missed the regular festivities happened in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the sisters, royal commentator Mr Dampier said he “feels sorry for the situation they are in”.

He told the Mail: “If it turns out they are not invited, or decide themselves not to go, then it makes it very difficult for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. They may feel it would be unfair of them to go when their parents aren’t there and it simply rubs salt in their wounds.

“The king has a soft spot for both Beatrice and Eugenie and feels sorry for the situation they are in. So it’s a real dilemma for him and one he could do without.”
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson pictured together in 2024 (Credit: Cover Images)

Beatrice ‘loses hope’ of becoming a working royal

Meanwhile, Beatrice has reportedly “lost all hope” of becoming a working royal thanks to the scandals concerning her parents. Friends have reportedly claimed that she’d have liked to help the king and Prince William out.

A source close to her added to the Mail: “Beatrice does want to be a working royal and she wants to do royal events to help her uncle because she’d enjoy them and she would be good at the job.

“Charles apparently appreciates this. There had at one stage been a feeling that Bea could have been lined up one day. She’s never put a foot wrong, don’t forget. And she shouldn’t be punished for the sins of her father.

“But the king’s courtiers are concerned Andrew could try to ‘get in via the back door’ by exerting influence over her.”

Royal Insider has contacted reps for Buckingham Palace and Beatrice for comment on the Mail’s article.