King Charles has reportedly extended an olive branch to Prince Andrew amidst their ongoing dispute over the Royal Lodge, the home of the disgraced Duke of York. The King is planning a grand Christmas party to strengthen family unity after a year fraught with health issues, and his younger brother is expected to be in attendance.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Royal Lodge – and his withdrawal from Royal duties in 2019 due to connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – Andrew is set to join the festive gathering. The brothers are currently locked in a disagreement over the Royal Lodge, which Charles allegedly wants to evict Andrew from, who holds a 75-year lease on the property and is fighting to keep it.
Insiders suggest that the King is determined to uphold family unity, especially during the Christmas period. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, along with their two children, Lady Louise, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, are also anticipated to attend.
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This Christmas party will mark the first time the Royal Family has gathered in full following a tumultuous year for the monarch and the Princess of Wales, both of whom were diagnosed with cancer within days of each other, reports the Mirror.
Royal insiders have shared that the King is overjoyed that Prince William, Kate, and their trio of kids – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – are all set to join him for Christmas. He’s even started sorting out the festivities and readying his Sandringham retreat in Norfolk to welcome the family for the holiday season.
Charles is also said to have been walking around the ground of Sandringham, deep in conversation with his staff about their Christmas arrangements.
One insider said: “The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.”
While a friend of the King added: “His Majesty has taken great solace in being among nature and enjoying time outdoors throughout his cancer treatment.
“It’s something he believes has helped him incredibly throughout his ordeal. He is very much looking forward to spending quality time with as many of his close family as possible.”
The King made a brief return to London on Tuesday to continue his weekly treatment plan and present credentials to foreign ambassadors and high commissioners at Buckingham Palace before quickly returned to Sandringham.