Prince Andrew Arrives at Queen Elizabeth's Annual Christmas Lunch
Prince Andrew voluntarily stepped back from his public duties earlier this year due to enormous public criticism over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But he's still a member of the royal family. And so today, the Duke of York is attending the Queen's annual Christmas lunch.
He was photographed this afternoon driving himself to Buckingham Palace for the holiday party. While Prince Andrew's appearance may be surprising given the recent controversy, it isn't entirely unexpected.
Earlier this summer, the Sunday Times reported that the Duke of York is expected to attend the upcoming Christmas day church services with his mother, and Buckingham Palace's statement for the piece suggested that Andrew will still be seen at events involving members of the royal family from time to time.
“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 for the story.
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 the luncheon 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, and are not at the Queen's party today.
"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."
You Might Also Like