King Charles has decided that his brother, Prince Andrew, and Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will not be included in this year’s royal Christmas festivities. The move is seen as an effort to maintain distance from the couple following recent controversies.
Sources indicate that the decision comes in the wake of revelations about Ferguson’s past communications with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. Despite publicly distancing herself from Epstein years ago, a recently surfaced email showed Ferguson referring to him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
A representative for Ferguson later clarified that her remarks were made in response to a legal threat from Epstein and that she cut ties with him as soon as the full scope of his crimes became known. Still, the resurfaced correspondence appears to have influenced the royal family’s stance.
This is not the first time the King has taken steps to limit the public roles of Andrew and Ferguson. Last year, Ferguson was reportedly asked to help ensure Andrew stayed away from holiday events after his own associations drew scrutiny.
While the two remain part of the wider family, the expectation is that they will maintain a low profile at future royal occasions. The monarch’s latest decision underscores an ongoing effort to protect the institution from further reputational damage.
