King Charles III has decided that his brother, Prince Andrew, and Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will not be included in the royal family’s traditional Christmas gathering this year. The decision is understood to reflect a continued effort to distance the monarchy from associations linked to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources indicate the King wishes to avoid further controversy during the family holiday. This follows the recent publication of a past email from Ferguson to Epstein, in which she described him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.” The correspondence was sent shortly after she had publicly condemned him over a decade ago.
A spokesperson for the Duchess of York stated the email was sent under duress, intended to counter a legal threat from Epstein after she had severed ties and denounced him. The spokesperson emphasized Ferguson’s regret over the association and her sympathy for Epstein’s victims.
Last year, the couple also did not attend the main royal festivities. At that time, Ferguson was reportedly asked by the King to help ensure Andrew stayed away following revelations about the prince’s own associations. The consistent message from the monarch is a desire for a lower profile from the pair at official family events.
The move underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the royal institution in managing the reputational fallout from past connections to disgraced figures, with the sovereign prioritizing the dignity of the monarchy during its most public seasonal celebration.
