Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was seen spending Christmas alone while his family, including his two daughters, opted to celebrate separately. The former royal was observed leaving his Royal Lodge residence, where he is facing eviction, earlier today. Andrew was excluded from the Royal Family’s customary Christmas festivities at Sandringham due to the controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, chose to spend the holidays with the rest of the royals at Sandringham, distancing themselves from their disgraced parents. Andrew was captured driving alone out of his 30-bedroom mansion at Royal Lodge. Earlier this year, King Charles removed all of his brother’s royal titles and privileges.
Despite appearing downcast initially, Andrew eventually flashed a thumbs-up gesture to a staff member at the property gates. Following the uproar over the nominal rent he was paying, Andrew is set to be evicted from his long-time residence and is expected to relocate to a property on the private Sandringham estate after the holiday season.
Living at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who was also absent from Sandringham, Andrew will part ways with the property soon. Ferguson is expected to find her own living arrangements apart from her former husband. Amid escalating controversies, Andrew faced further scrutiny after photos of him surfaced in the Epstein files, although he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Recent rumors suggested that Princess Beatrice might spend Christmas abroad with friends to avoid being in the presence of the royals or her disgraced father at Royal Lodge. The eldest daughter was seen walking with her husband to St Mary Magdalene’s Church from Sandringham House this morning, donning a brown coat.
Witnesses at Sandringham observed other members of the royal family, including Charles and Camilla, arriving for the Christmas Day service, greeted by Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams, as well-wishers gathered despite the cold weather.