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After a year fraught with health concerns, the Royal Family managed to safely gather this Christmas, marking the end of a challenging year. Members of the extended family made their way to Sandringham to celebrate the festive season.
However, this year’s guest list was noticeably slimmed down, with several family members missing, including Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While these absences were widely publicised beforehand, there were also two more iconic guests who were notably absent – and it’s not who you might think.
Former Royal chef Darren McGrady previously told the Mail on Sunday that in past Christmases, even the late Queen’s corgis were treated like family members and served a delicious Christmas dinner. The festive meal typically included rabbit, beef or chicken served with cabbage and rice to mark the special occasion – with up to 12 of the fortunate dogs dining with the family.
Read more: Prince William ‘broke promise’
Regrettably, after the Queen passed away in 2022, her two surviving corgis went to live with Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. Their absence this year, due to the ongoing alleged spy controversy involving Chinese diplomat Yang Tengbo, meant that the dogs weren’t present at Sandringham for the usual Christmas celebration.
Instead, Sarah and Andrew spent Christmas at Royal Lodge in Windsor where they privately celebrated the festive season amid the fallout of several scandals.
Prince Andrew, who famously stepped away from Royal duties in 2019 due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has kept a relatively low profile. Still, he’s made appearances at significant Royal gatherings like the annual Christmas Day church service at St.
Mary Magdalene Church and was present at the Queen’s funeral. His name popped up in controversy yet again when links to Yang Tengbo, an alleged spy, made headlines.
From HRH’s camp came a statement asserting: “The Duke of York followed advice from HMG and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.”
“The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”
Princess Eugenie also skipped this year’s family celebrations; instead, she spent her first Christmas with her in-laws—the Brooksbank family—and her sons, August and Ernest. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice joined the Royal festivities with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, their daughter Sienna, and stepson Wolfie, as they eagerly await the arrival of their new addition.
“The Duke of York followed advice from HMG and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.”
“The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”
