Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was seen spending Christmas alone after his family, including his two daughters, opted to celebrate separately from the disgraced former royal. The ex-prince was observed leaving his Royal Lodge residence, from which he is facing eviction, earlier today. Andrew was excluded from the traditional Christmas gatherings held by the Royal Family at Sandringham due to the controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Andrew’s daughters, chose to spend the holidays with the royal family at Sandringham instead of with their disgraced parents.
Andrew was captured driving out of his 30-bedroom Royal Lodge estate alone. Earlier this year, King Charles made headlines by stripping his brother of all royal titles and privileges. Despite initially appearing somber, Andrew eventually flashed a thumbs-up gesture to a staff member at the property gates.
Due to the ongoing controversy over the “peppercorn rent,” Andrew is expected to be forced out of his long-time residence, with plans to relocate to a property on the private Sandringham estate after Christmas, where the rest of the royal family was gathered.
Living at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who was also absent from Sandringham, Andrew will soon depart from the property. Ferguson, reportedly instructed to make her own living arrangements, will not be relocating with her former husband.
Andrew has faced increased scrutiny following the circulation of images of him in the recently released Epstein files. Despite being depicted in the photos, Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Rumors circulated that Princess Beatrice might spend Christmas abroad with friends to avoid being in the company of the royals or her disgraced father at Royal Lodge. The eldest daughter was seen walking with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene’s Church earlier in the day.
Other members of the royal family were also sighted at Sandringham, where well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of them before the Christmas Day service commenced.