King Charles has reportedly made it clear that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson will not be welcome at the royal family’s Christmas celebrations this year. This decision comes amid the renewed scrutiny surrounding the couple’s past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke and Duchess of York, whose ties to the convicted sex offender continue to surface, are once again being kept at a distance as King Charles seeks to maintain control over public appearances and the family’s image.
A source close to the King told The Sunday Times that while Prince Andrew is still family, the pair’s involvement in this year’s festivities would be better avoided. The source added, “You can’t sack someone from being your brother, but if the duke and duchess were both as honourable as last year, it would be very much for the best.” The Duke and Duchess of York were excluded from the royal family’s Christmas gathering last year, with Andrew’s Chinese spy scandal and Sarah Ferguson’s distancing from the family playing a role in the decision.
Prince Andrew, who stepped back from his royal duties in 2019 following a disastrous interview with BBC’s Newsnight, has faced ongoing public and legal challenges. His connection to Epstein has been a source of scandal for years, and the Duke’s role in royal life has been significantly reduced. Despite his reduced status, new details continue to emerge, including an email from 2011 in which Prince Andrew allegedly expressed concern for Epstein after the infamous photo of him with Virginia Giuffre was published. The Duke’s letter, which reads, “It would seem we are in this together,” was seen as an attempt to downplay the situation.
Sarah Ferguson, known for her relationship with Epstein, has also been caught in the scandal’s web. Her correspondence with Epstein, including an email in which she called him a “steadfast, generous, and supreme friend,” led to her removal as patron of several charities in September 2025. Despite apologizing for her ties to Epstein in previous interviews, Ferguson has continued to face criticism. She claimed she was misled by Epstein and has condemned his actions since learning the extent of his crimes.
The growing tension surrounding the couple has led to a change in King Charles’s approach to royal events. The King is reportedly looking to keep Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson out of the spotlight, even suggesting they use private entrances and exits for family events like funerals and church services. While he has expressed that he doesn’t want to banish them completely, the King hopes they will make efforts to remain discreet.
In light of these developments, several of Ferguson’s charity affiliations have ended, including her patronage with organizations like the Children’s Hospice Julia’s House and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Despite these setbacks, Ferguson maintains that her regret over her association with Epstein has been well-documented, and she continues to express her sympathy for his victims.
This exclusion from the royal Christmas festivities and the wider distancing of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson marks a significant shift in how King Charles is managing the royal family’s public image amid the ongoing Epstein scandal.
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