Prince Andrew is joined by Fergie for the first time in 30 years at the royal Christmas service at Sandringham, amid claims he is ‘haunted’ by the prospect of the Epstein scandal reigniting
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson put on a united front as the royal family enjoyed their annual Christmas walk at Sandringham today.
The Duke of York, 63, and the Duchess, 64, walked behind seniors as the crowd lined the road outside St Mary Magdalene Church for the traditional Christmas Day service at the Norfolk estate.
King Charles was accompanied by Camilla, the Queen Consort, at the head of the group, with the Waleses walking close behind alongside their three children George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
It is the first time in more than three decades that Fergie has joined the royals for the walk, following the couple’s high-profile divorce in 1996.
But King Charles softened that approach last year and invited her to join the family at Sandringham for the first time in decades, even though she did not attend church.
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson put on a united front as the royal family enjoyed their annual Christmas walk at Sandringham today
The Duke of York, 63, and the Duchess, 64, walked behind seniors as the crowd lined the road outside St Mary Magdalene Church for the traditional Christmas Day service at the Norfolk estate.
It is the first time in more than thirty years that Fergie has joined the royal family, following the couple’s high-profile divorce in 1996.
Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church
Andrew’s alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will come under further scrutiny in the new year with the release of hundreds of files from a defamation case, following a ruling by a US judge.
He He is said to be ‘totally anguished’ as he braces for the scandal to get going again in the new year.
Andrew’s daughters were with their husbands, Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank.
The private Norfolk estate will once again host the traditional royal festivities, with most of the family in attendance – apart from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are spending the day in LA with their children, Prince Louis and Princess Lilibet.
The King and Queen, along with the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, waved to well-wishers as they attended a Christmas Eve service at the church on Sunday.
Royal Christmas holidays traditionally include greeting people outside the church, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.
Sandringham House has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs for more than 160 years and is now owned by the King.
The King and Queen will celebrate Christmas Day with other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham
The Prince and Princess of Wales go to church with their children, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, who holds Mia Tindall’s hand
The Princess Royal arrives at the church for this morning’s service at Sandringham
King Charles was seen waving to the crowds gathered outside Norfolk Church to wish him and his family well this Christmas as he walked alongside Queen Camilla.
The Princess of Wales smiled broadly as she walked to the church wearing an elegant blue coat and matching hat, holding her daughter Princess Charlotte’s hand.
Her younger brother, Prince Louis, joined the rest of his family and held Mia Tindall’s hand as they prepared to attend the service.
On his other side, Prince William also held his son’s hand, while Prince George, dressed in a navy blue suit, walked next to his sister.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined the rest of the royal family on their way to church.
Charles’ second Christmas message as monarch will be broadcast at 3pm and this year it was recorded in the Center Room at Buckingham Palace, which gives access to the royal residence’s iconic balcony.
Meanwhile, it comes after Prince Andrew is said to be ‘utterly anguished’ as he braces for the scandal over his links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein to flare up again in the new year.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Duke of York’s name will appear alongside those of dozens of Epstein’s powerful friends – some of whom have not previously been publicly identified – when a series of court documents are published.
The documents are part of a US defamation case that Andrews’ accuser Virginia Roberts has brought against Ghislaine Maxwell
US Judge Loretta Preska ruled last week that documents relating to more than 170 people linked to Epstein should be made public in early January.
The prospect of being intensively investigated again over his friendship with Epstein is said to have plunged Andrew into deep despair in the run-up to Christmas.
“Andrew’s name is in there,” the source said. ‘He is beside himself over this latest development and everyone around him is concerned for his mental well-being.
‘He is at his wits’ end, completely tormented. He’s going into his second Christmas without his mother and now the new year starts and his name is being dragged through the mud again.’
US Judge Loretta Preska ruled last week that documents relating to more than 170 people who were associates, friends or victims of multi-millionaire sex offender Epstein must be made public in early January.
The documents are part of a US defamation case brought by Andrew’s accuser Virginia Roberts in 2015 against Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite who provided Epstein with underage girls.
While the case was settled out of court two years later, The Miami Herald successfully fought to have the papers made public.
The first set of documents was released in 2019, less than 48 hours before Epstein hanged himself in a New York jail while being held on child sex trafficking charges.
The MoS has been told that other names that will be made public in the new documents include Wall Street bankers, business leaders and major politicians and academics.