Kate Middleton and Prince William Skip King Charles' Christmas Lunch

Reports indicate that Kate Middleton and Prince William will not attend King Charles' Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The couple and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are currently at Anmer Hall in Norfolk for the holidays. The family prefers to spend time together at their Norfolk residence before private celebrations at Sandringham Estate.

Although they will not be at the Buckingham Palace gathering on December 19, they plan to reconnect with family at Sandringham, as is their tradition. Meanwhile, King Charles will host several royal family members for this festive lunch. Notable attendees include Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who arrived at the palace on Thursday.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson opted out of the event due to recent controversies. Amid claims of Andrew's connection to a suspected Chinese spy, the Duke of York reached this decision after discussing it with the Duchess, who advised him to stay away. Andrew will also miss the royal gathering on December 25 at Sandringham for similar reasons.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward noted that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie consulted with their father about his decision. This shows their loyalty and protective instinct toward Andrew, as they are aware of the scrutiny surrounding him.

Despite their 1996 divorce, Andrew and Ferguson share a close relationship and reside together at Royal Lodge in Windsor. The Christmas lunch is an intimate gathering that King Charles continues in his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s tradition. Family members gather about a week before Christmas for this upbeat meal at Buckingham Palace before the Queen would typically head to Sandringham for holiday celebrations.

This year, the royal family's Christmas activities face significant public focus due to Andrew's alleged ties to ongoing scandals. Andrew's links to a Chinese national, suspected of espionage, have provoked intense media scrutiny since December 13. Reports suggested that Andrew appointed the businessman, Yang Tengbo, as a "business adviser," indicating serious national security concerns.

Yang, whose initial identity was kept confidential, built a trusting relationship with Prince Andrew, raising alarms about security breaches. Andrew has repeatedly denied any involvement in wrongdoing and stepped back from royal duties after his notorious interview regarding his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

As the royal family prepares for Christmas on December 25, Andrew, Ferguson, Beatrice, Eugenie, and their families will refrain from attending the celebrations at Sandringham due to the espionage scandal. Though Andrew has not been in a working royal role for years, he is expected to continue participating in significant family events and celebrations.

Beatrice and Eugenie had initial invitations to join their in-laws for the holiday. However, their plans appear to have shifted, and they, along with their parents, likely opting for a quieter celebration at Windsor Castle.

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