Prince Andrew has resurfaced in headlines and, as expected, it’s not for the right reasons. Earlier this week, much attention was focused on Yang Tengbo, a Chinese businessman suspected of being a Beijing spy, who reportedly had close ties with the Duke of York.
Andrew has claimed he severed ties with Tengbo after being warned about the businessman, but the damage to his reputation – and by extension, to his brother King Charles—continues to grow.
A British court recently reviewed evidence suggesting the alleged Chinese spy was a confidant of Andrew. In the wake of these revelations, the disgraced prince has been removed from the guest list for Buckingham Palace’s annual Christmas luncheon, a traditional royal gathering hosted in honor of the holiday.
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Instead of joining the royal family, Andrew will spend Christmas at his home in Windsor alongside his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Meanwhile, their daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, will celebrate the holiday with their respective in-laws. Sources revealed that Andrew was eager to attend the royal luncheon but ultimately heeded Ferguson’s advice to step back.
“The Duchess of York has advised Prince Andrew that this is the best course of action, and he’s accepted that it’s the right and honorable thing to do,” said a source to PageSix.
Andrew isn’t the only royal persona non grata this year. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their children, Archie and Lilibet, are also absent from the guest list. The Sussexes are expected to spend the holiday in California with Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland.