King Charles III has reportedly decided against extending invitations to his brother, Prince Andrew, and Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, for the royal family’s upcoming Christmas festivities. The decision is understood to reflect a continued effort to distance the monarchy from associations that have drawn significant public scrutiny.
The move follows recent reports concerning the Duchess of York’s past communications with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex trafficking. Despite having publicly condemned Epstein over a decade ago, a previously private email from Ferguson to him has recently surfaced. In the correspondence, she reportedly described Epstein as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
A spokesperson for the Duchess addressed the resurfaced message, stating it was sent in response to a legal threat from Epstein after she had severed ties and denounced him. The representative emphasized that Ferguson’s primary concern remains with Epstein’s victims and that she was “taken in by his lies” before becoming aware of the full scope of the allegations against him.
This is not the first instance where the King has sought to manage the couple’s presence at major family events. Last year, Ferguson was reportedly asked to help ensure Prince Andrew did not attend the holiday gathering following revelations about the Duke’s associations. Sources indicate a firm desire from within the family for a lower profile from both Andrew and Ferguson at official functions going forward.
While the bonds of family remain, the decision underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the monarchy in navigating personal relationships amidst intense public and media examination. The holiday season, traditionally a private family affair, appears to be no exception to this careful balancing act.
