Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are set to break tradition this year, as they will not be attending the Royal Family’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham.
This move marks a significant departure from their usual routine, as both princesses have attended the annual event since they were children.
The news of their absence comes on the heels of reports that their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, will also not be attending the festivities hosted by King Charles.
Instead, it is believed that the Prince and his ex-wife will celebrate privately at their Royal Lodge home on the Windsor estate amid the Duke of York’s latest scandal, the Mirror reports.
This is a stark contrast to last year’s celebration, when Prince Andrew and Fergie were present and even participated in the annual Christmas walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the estate.
However, following recent controversy surrounding the prince’s alleged ties to a suspected Chinese spy, the couple have decided to mark the occasion privately. As for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, they will not be spending the holidays with their parents either.
It is understood that both royals were invited to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws several months ago and have accepted the invitation.
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Beatrice has been blissfully wed to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi since 2020, and the pair are excitedly anticipating the arrival of their second child in the New Year. They already dote on their daughter Sienna, three, and Edo’s son from a previous relationship, Wolfie, who is eight.
Eugenie tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank back in 2018, and together they cherish their two young sons, August, three, and one-year-old Ernest.
The York sisters have only once skipped the cherished Sandringham Christmas gathering over the last ten years, an absence forced by the Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 which prevented family celebrations outside immediate household bubbles.
Despite missing the event, which will see prominent royals including Prince William and Princess Kate in attendance, this year is particularly special for both sisters as it marks the first Christmas they will spend with their in-laws.
The Independent reports that it was Fergie who suggested Prince Andrew should withdraw from this year’s festivities, a move that consequently meant she would also forgo her invitation.
The publication noted: “The decision for the pair to stay put at the Royal Lodge is thought to have been made easier by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s plans to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time.”
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