A sullen Prince Andrew has been spotted on his own after ducking out of the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations.

The Duke of York, 64 was snapped heading out for a lone afternoon walk near Windsor Castle on Sunday as he prepares to spend the festive period away from the rest of the royals. His decision to stay home comes after he hit the headlines again over his connections with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, a man now banned from the UK.

The festive celebrations at the King’s private Norfolk estate this year are expected to be one of the biggest in many years, with 45 members of the royal family expected to join on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, King Charles cut a happy figure today as he was pictured leaving an annual Christmas church service in Sandringham. He waved to well-wishers outside St Mary Magdalene Church wearing a brown tweet coat and holding an umbrella.

King Charles III waved to well wishers at St Mary Magdalene Church ( 
Image:
PA)
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, will also miss Christmas at Sandringham. The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they still share in Windsor Great Park despite reported attempts by the King to evict them.

Before Andrew made the decision to avoid the celebrations, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie had reportedly spoken privately of their displeasure at plans for them to share a cottage with him on the Sandringham grounds. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were said to have been “less than pleased” when initially told the plans at being “cheek by jowl with the Yorks”, reported the Sun.

It comes after former Royal correspondent Jennie Bond described Andrew as a “pariah” within the Royal Family. Suggesting he had exhausted the patience shown towards him by his older brother King Charles after numerous scandals, she told OK!: “The King is a kind soul and Andrew is his brother. He would have hated to be put in the position of having to un-invite him or ban him from what promises to be a big family get together.

“It seems quite likely Andrew sat down with Fergie, and possibly his daughters, to discuss the best solution. Thankfully, wise heads have prevailed and he obviously realised his presence at Sandringham would be an embarrassing distraction on a day which – this year of all years – should be all about the King and Catherine.”