Prince Andrew 'vows he will attend pre-Christmas lunch with royals' despite 'pressure' for him to stay away
King Charles will reportedly host the event at Buckingham PalacePrince Andrew has reportedly vowed to attend King Charles‘ pre-Christmas lunch despite a new scandal surrounding him.
This week, reports claimed that the Duke of York won’t join the royals at Sandringham this Christmas. It came after he hit headlines over his association with an alleged Chinese spy.
It’s said that Andrew is facing pressure to lay low and stay away from Sandringham amid the latest scandal.
Prince Andrew ‘to attend pre-Christmas lunch’ with royals
A source has told The Sun of the pre-Christmas lunch: “Andrew told friends that it’s his family and so he should be there.
“It’s a family occasion, why shouldn’t he go?”
The lunch will reportedly see more than 70 people attend at Buckingham Palace this week. It’s believed that photos will be published worldwide of the royal family arriving.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward has shared her thoughts on the festivities. She said Andrew could still go to Buckingham Palace for the lunch and “try not to be seen driving in and out”.
Prince Andrew ‘told not to attend’ Sandringham for Christmas
However, it could be worse for Prince Andrew to be seen at the Christmas Day walkabout with the family.
On Christmas Day, members of the royal family attend a church service and then embark on a public walkabout to greet locals.
Andrew told friends that it’s his family and so he should be there.
Ingrid told the publication: “I feel the hand of Fergie in this. She has a big influence on Andrew. He listens to her.
“She would have said, ‘You can’t do this to your brother.’
“I think she must have told him you can’t possibly go to Sandringham and walk to church with the China spy in the news because it would embarrass the king.”
ED! has contacted reps for the Duke of York for comment.
Prince Andrew and ‘Chinese spy’
Andrew recently made headlines due to his association with an alleged ‘Chinese spy’. Yang Tengbo was publicly named for the first time on Monday after High Court restrictions lifted.
Mr Yang, previously known only as H6, was described as a “close confidant” of the Duke of York. He has insisted that “widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue”.
Meanwhile, Andrew said he “ceased all contact” with the Chinese businessman following “advice” from officials.
He also insisted they never discussed anything of a “sensitive nature”.
The Home Office previously said Mr Yang was considered to have engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He was then banned from entering the UK in 2023.
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