King Charles was concerned Prince Andrew would be a distraction (Image: Getty)
faced a delicate family dilemma this week when his younger brother, , found himself caught in a new controversy.
Days before the was set to gather for their traditional , reports surfaced about .
This prompted concerns over the Duke of York’s presence at key events, including the pre-Christmas lunch at .
With the scandal continuing to unfold, it was revealed that Andrew made the decision to stay away from both the Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace and the royal festivities at Sandringham.
According to insiders, the decision wasn’t made by the King but was instead influenced by Andrew’s ex-wife, , who is said to have encouraged him to spend Christmas privately at their home in Windsor.
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Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced in 1996 (Image: Getty)
The former couple, who still share a close bond despite their divorce in 1996, will celebrate Christmas quietly at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Their daughters, and , had already made plans to spend the holiday with their respective in-laws.
A palace source shared with : “I know that the King is very grateful to the duchess for her assistance.”
This Christmas marks a stark contrast to last year, when both Andrew and Sarah were invited to Sandringham for the holiday celebrations.
It was a significant moment for Sarah, as it was the first time she had been invited back to join the at Sandringham since her divorce in 1996.
Last year, she participated in the Royal Family’s traditional morning walk to church, which many viewed as a sign of her return to the royal fold.
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Despite the ongoing drama surrounding Andrew, Sarah has remained fiercely loyal to him.
In a recent interview with The Times, which took place before the latest revelations, Sarah expressed her undying affection for her ex-husband.
She said: “I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100%. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life.
“I won’t let him down. He supports me as much as I support him.”
Although their marriage ended in 1996 after a decade, Sarah has continually supported Andrew, both during their marriage and after their divorce.
Reflecting on their time together, she recently said: “If we could go back, we would definitely play it differently.”