Will Prince Andrew Be Banned From Walking to Church with Royal Family on Christmas Day?

The Duke of York is mired in more scandal, and reports suggest he is being pressed to keep a low profile over the Christmas holidays

Prince Andrew is being pressured to keep a low profile in the wake of the scandal involving his alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy.

King Charles’ brother is once again at the center of controversy due to his connection with a 50-year-old man — whose identity remains undisclosed — who reportedly penetrated the very heart of the British establishment.

Reports in the U.K. now suggest that the Duke of York faces a crucial decision: fall in line and not attend the annual royal family holiday party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday or church on Christmas Day alongside the royals, or turn up and risk the ire of Charles and courtiers who believe he should stay out of the limelight.

It puts the King in a tricky situation as he has shown support for his younger brother, 64, in recent years, inviting him – and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson – to join in the public side of the Christmas festivities. But, mindful of political and public pressure around Andrew's ties to the alleged Chinese spy, pressure is rising for action to be taken, and Charles would not want to be forced to ban Andrew from attending.

Therefore, the ball would seem to be in Prince Andrew’s court to make that decision himself. He “should do the decent thing and voluntarily withdraw from public view over Christmas,” palace insiders told The Times on Dec. 16.

According to the outlet, palace sources suggest that “the onus should be on Prince Andrew to keep a low profile, rather than forcing the King to decide whether or not his brother should be banned from showing his face.”

Related: King Charles Is Furious Over Prince Andrew’s ‘Chinese Spy’ Scandal but ‘Can’t Sack’ His Brother: Report

The Daily Telegraph reports a source saying that a decision to bar Andrew is “really hard” for Charles and the hope is that he will spare the King's "blushes" and decide himself.

“It would be a bitter pill for the embattled [Andrew] to swallow” the outlet suggests.

The Sun was more blunt: “’Banned Old Duke of York’” was its front-page headline. It said he “must ‘uninvite himself’ from the Royal Family’s Christmas bash” due to his friendship, according to insiders. There are two high-profile gatherings ahead—one with the extended family on Thursday, Dec. 19, and the other on Christmas Day itself, when the royals will parade to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Buckingham Palace had no comment.

Related: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Their Kids Are 'Spending More Time' with Prince Andrew

Andrew last avoided church on Christmas Day in 2019, soon after he stepped back from public duties following his bombshell interview with the BBC about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During the interview, Andrew also said he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with the royal three times between 1999 and 2002, including on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein, when she was 17 years old. Epstein died in prison while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and announced his step back from royal duties a few days after the explosive interview aired. The royal said he continued to "unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein" in the official statement announcing his decision.

The transition was made official when the late Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of his military titles and patronages in January 2022 amid Giuffre's civil sexual assault lawsuit. An out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum was reached the following month.

Andrew has since been involved in a tug-of-war over whether or not he and his ex-wife, Sarah the Duchess of York, would be able to stay at Royal Lodge, a vast home on the Windsor estate.

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Despite his brother Charles reportedly cutting off Andrew's allowance this summer, Andrew is reported to have found the funds to enable him to stay at Royal Lodge. There had been a suggestion that he would move to Frogmore Cottage, which has been vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.