The King's brother is to skip a Palace lunch today having already bowed out of the traditional festivities at Sandringham over his links to an alleged Chinese spy. Now he will also miss today's pre-Christmas private celebration at Buckingham Palace where more than 70 members of the extended family will gather.
The Duke of York is understood to have been persuaded by his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson that it would have been unwise for them to attend. The withdrawal will come as a relief for King Charles, with his younger sibling once again in the spotlight over a controversial business relationship.
Andrew, 64, and Sarah, 65, had decided against joining the rest of The Firm at Sandringham over his relationship with Yang Tengbo.
Veteran royal author Phil Dampier said: "It is a tragic downfall for someone who returned from the Falklands War as a war hero. I am very surprised that Andrew has pulled out of the Buckingham Palace lunch because it is a private event and he would only be seen arriving in his car.
"Other members of the family are sympathetic towards him, but it seems at the moment he is being influenced by his ex-wife Sarah who is perhaps playing a longer game now that she is back in the bosom of the Royal Family." Mr Dampier thinks the Duchess of York is keen to avoid further embarrassment for the King.
Andrew's withdrawal Sandringham was also likely to have been influenced by his two daughters' earlier decisions to spend the festive period with their respective in-laws.
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