Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's strange encounter with well-wishers during Christmas Day walkabout
Andrew didn't seem too happyAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor had a very strange encounter with well-wishers during the Christmas Day walkabout in 2023.
The former Duke of York took umbrage with the actions of one royal fan, leading to something of an awkward conversation.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s strange encounter with well-wishers
Back in 2023, Andrew, now 65, joined the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas.
This was already unusual, as Andrew was no longer a working member of the royal family, having stepped back in 2019 and had his royal patronages stripped by the late queen in early 2022.
During the walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate, Andrew spoke to some of the royal fans who had come out to send their Christmas well-wishes.
In a video shared by the Daily Mail at the time, Andrew spoke to members of the public, asking: “How are you? Where have you come from?”
The fan replied, saying they were from Spalding, Lincolnshire.
“I find this fascinating. Why does everybody have their cameras on?” Andrew then asked.
Andrew’s awkward chat with fans
“But why do that?” Andrew then continued.
“We’re not the press,” another person joked, drawing laughter from those in attendance.
You ought to come and stand on this side and see what it’s like.
However, the awkward exchange continued. Explaining that it’s “not about whether you are the press or not,” Andrew said: “It’s just, why video?”
“Cause it’s just lovely, lovely moments,” a well-wisher replied.
Andrew didn’t seem to agree, however. “You ought to come and stand on this side and see what it’s like,” he said.
“All you have is a lot of cameras facing you. It’s a really bizarre sensation.”
Someone in the crowd then called for his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who joined the royal walk for the first time since the 1990s.
Andrew then bid the group of well-wishers goodbye before leaving.
Where did Andrew spend Christmas this year?
Fast forward two years and it was a very different Christmas for Andrew this year.
The former Duke of York was stripped of all royal titles recently and was also handed an eviction notice for his Royal Lodge home.
Andrew reportedly spent one last Christmas at Royal Lodge this year, before his reported move to Sandringham next year.
Andrew reportedly wasn’t invited to spend Christmas with the rest of the royal family this year.
It’s not the first time he’s missed Christmas with the royals. Last year, despite having an invite to attend celebrations at Sandringham, Andrew ultimately gave it a miss amid controversy around his friendship with an alleged Chinese spy.
However, his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, joined the royals at Sandringham this year.
Read more: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s first family appearance since loss of titles ‘revealed’
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