In a striking show of royal continuity, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were prominent figures walking to the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, following closely behind King Charles and Queen Camilla. Their attendance came without their father, the former Prince Andrew, whose absence from the traditional gathering was highly conspicuous.
A Family Gathering Without Key Figures
The daughters of the Duke of York attended the royal family's long-standing Christmas Day tradition, projecting a sense of unity. Their mother, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was also not present. Ferguson had been invited to the Sandringham service in 2023 for the first time since 1991, but did not attend this year's event.
The former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been at the centre of intense scrutiny and scandal due to his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In response, the monarchy has taken significant steps to distance the institution from the controversy. King Charles has been firm in his actions, ordering his younger brother to vacate his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, and relocate to a more private residence on the Sandringham estate.
Royal Distancing and Public Appearances
Buckingham Palace has stated that these measures were essential to safeguard the reputation of the monarchy. The palace also emphasised that the King's thoughts and sympathies lie with the victims of abuse. Andrew has consistently denied allegations that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked by Epstein.
Despite the cloud hanging over their father, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have maintained their presence at core family functions. Their participation in the Christmas service underscores their ongoing role within the royal family framework, even as Andrew is sidelined. The sisters have continued with select public engagements, with King Charles demonstrating clear public support for his nieces.
A Unified Front Led by the Monarch
King Charles and Queen Camilla led the procession of senior royals to St Mary Magdalene Church, warmly greeting crowds of well-wishers along the route. They were followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Other senior family members in attendance included:
- Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence
- The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, with their children
- The King's niece, Zara Tindall, with her husband, Mike Tindall
The Sandringham estate in Norfolk has been the royal family's traditional venue for Christmas Day services since 1988. Earlier in December, both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also present at the wider royal family's Christmas lunch hosted at Buckingham Palace, further cementing their integrated status.
The carefully managed public appearance served to highlight a cohesive family unit, steadfastly moving forward while navigating the ongoing repercussions of past scandals.
