R0YAL SH0CK Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie chose The Firm over their father this Christmas — after a telling signal from the King about their royal future.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was left firmly out in the cold today, with even his daughters abandoning him at Christmas.
While Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were surprise guests at the King’s royal revelries at Sandringham, the disgraced former Duke of York was seen leaving Royal Lodge, his Windsor mansion, alone.
He cut a solitary figure, driving himself out of the royal estate, wrapped in a scarf and casual waterproof, in stark contrast to his smartly-dressed daughters and their husbands who joined senior royals on the traditional Christmas morning walk to church.
There was no sign of Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and her spokesman refused to discuss her plans.
King Charles has quietly made clear that while his shamed brother is unwelcome at any family festivities, his nieces – who remain ‘blood princesses’ and have retained their York titles – should not be made to pay for their father’s ‘sins’. A source said: ‘His Majesty is very fond of them.’
It comes as victims of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein called for Andrew to be prosecuted amid continuing public uproar over their friendship.
Marina Lacerda, 37, who was 14 when she was abused by the predatory financier, told the Daily Mail that the former Duke of York would have been arrested by now ‘if he were a regular guy’.
Andrew – who has always denied any wrongdoing – has already been stripped by the King of all his remaining titles and forced to downsize from his 30-room Windsor mansion, but his presence continues to loom over the Royal Family’s public activities.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was left firmly out in the cold today, with even his daughters abandoning him at Christmas. Pictured: Princess Eugenie at Sandringham on Christmas Day
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While Princesses Beatrice (pictured, in attendance, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi) and Eugenie were surprise guests at the King’s royal revelries at Sandringham, the disgraced former Duke of York was seen leaving Royal Lodge, his Windsor mansion, alone
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He cut a solitary figure (pictured), driving himself out of the royal estate, wrapped in a scarf and casual waterproof
Earlier this month the Daily Mail revealed he would get to spend one last Christmas in Royal Lodge before his expected departure to the King’s private Sandringham estate early next year.
It can be revealed that while no firm date has been set for him to quit, removal vans have already been taking boxes of belongings away.
In Norfolk today his daughters – who had been predicted by some to skip the festivities this year, such is their embarrassment over the debacle – were pointedly welcomed by the rest of the Royal Family.
Beatrice, 37, accompanied by her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, looked pale and slightly haunted, hanging to the rear of the party walking down from the ‘big house’ to St Mary Magdalene Church.
But Eugenie, 35, smiled and beamed at the front of the group, along with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
More than 500 well-wishers – some camping out in the bitter cold overnight in Santa hats, tinsel necklaces and reindeer antlers – had gathered to catch a glimpse of the family, who were led by a beaming Charles. He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, bringing festive cheer in a striking red coat and hat.
Charles joked with Joan Beale, 67, from Cambridge, that it was ‘like Crufts here’ as he bent down to make a fuss of her dog, Millie.
Asked afterwards if they had anything to say about Andrew, she shook her head and said: ‘The royals have acted in the right way, with some dignity.’ Her friend, Sarah Burgoyne, 57, added: ‘I’m glad that his girls are here.’
Hilary Marsh, 73, voiced her opinion that it was ‘only right’ that Beatrice and Eugenie were there.
Mrs Marsh, from Burwell, Cambridgeshire, said: ‘Beatrice and Eugenie are marvellous girls. They’ve done nothing wrong and it must be quite hard for them with everything that’s going on.’
She said it was ‘marvellous’ to see the King looking well and added she had gifted the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children boxes of chocolates.
‘The children were very polite and courteous,’ she continued. ‘They’re an absolute credit to them.’
James Taylor, 41, from Nottinghamshire, said the removal of Andrew’s titles showed the family were taking matters ‘seriously’.
‘It’s been a source of embarrassment for the family, but this shows how seriously they’re taking it.
‘It has reflected badly on the family. I’m sure it’s the right thing he’s not here to take the focus away from the King and Queen,’ he said.
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Beatrice, 37, accompanied by her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, (pictured, the couple together) looked pale and slightly haunted, hanging to the rear of the party
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But Eugenie (centre), 35, smiled and beamed at the front of the group, along with her husband, Jack Brooksbank (left)
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More than 500 well-wishers had gathered to catch a glimpse of the family, who were led by a beaming Charles. He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, bringing festive cheer in a striking red coat and hat. Pictured: The King and Queen leading the Christmas Day party
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The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured) was also present, with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
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They brought their children, Lady Louise (right) and James, Earl of Wessex (left), along for the festivities. Pictured: The children with their mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, centre
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Princess Anne (centre left) was accompanied by her daughter, Zara Tindall (far right), and grandchildren
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The crowds seemed particularly delighted to see the Wales family (pictured, accompanied by Zara Tindall’s daughters Lena, left, and Mia, centre) who were out in force
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The children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and little Prince Louis (pictured, with a chocolate gift from a well-wisher), stole the show as they collected armfuls of gifts and festive chocolate selection boxes
The crowds seemed particularly delighted to see the Wales family who were out in force, with the children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and little Prince Louis, stealing the show as they collected armfuls of gifts and festive chocolate selection boxes.
Catherine, 43, and her ten-year-old daughter were in complementary shades of brown and caramel, while Louis, seven, and 12-year-old George were smartly dressed like their father.
Gemma Clark, 45, from Long Sutton, and a regular at the event, gave the young princess a bookmark and a ballerina brooch as presents, saying: ‘I asked Charlotte for a hug and she said yes. It was absolutely amazing. I loved it.’
Her father, Paul Clark, 75, handed William a set of origami planes for his sons to make and said: ‘William told me George would be able to name all those planes, they’re historic ones like Spitfires and Hurricanes.’
Louis couldn’t resist giving a twirl of excitement when he was given a huge box of chocolates as a gift, especially for him.
The Princess of Wales dawdled long after the other family members had started walking back, shaking hands and greeting well-wishers for almost 20 minutes and thanking them for turning up despite the cold.
