Prince Andrew Attends Church on Christmas in Sandringham
Prince Andrew stepped back from his public duties earlier this year following a disastrous interview about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But he didn't stop being the Queen's son. And so this morning, the Duke of York went to church with the rest of the royal family to celebrate Christmas.
He was photographed walking alongside Prince Charles, arriving early to St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham before the public was allowed in to watch the royals walk by. While Prince Andrew's appearance may be surprising to some, given his recent scandal, it isn't entirely unexpected.
Earlier this summer, the Sunday Times reported that the Duke of York would be attending Christmas services with his mother.
“The Duke of York is still a part of the royal family and you can expect to see him at family occasions,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told reporter Roya Nikkah at the time.
Last month, following enormous public criticism, Prince Andrew voluntarily resigned from his royal duties for the foreseeable future.
"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," he wrote in a personal statement.
"Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission."
He also expressed sympathy for Epstein's victims and said that he would speak with law enforcement "if required."
While Prince Andrew is at church today, a few famous faces are missing from the royal crowd. Notably, the Sussexes are spending their first Christmas as a family of three with Meghan's mother Doria. Duke and Duchess of Sussex won't be present.
"The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month," said a spokesperson for the couple last month. "Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, their Royal Highnesses will spend the holidays this year, as a new family, with the Duchess' mother Doria Ragland."
The statement continued: "This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the royal family, and has the support of Her Majesty the Queen."
Prince Philip also opted to skip todays public event as well.
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