Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson joined the royal family on their traditional Christmas trip to church.
Despite stepping down from his royal role in 2019 and being stripped of his military titles and patronage by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 2022 over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew appeared with the royal family on Monday as they attended a holiday church service in Norfolk. Andrew, 63, walked with his family as they walked to St Mary Magdalene Church.
He was joined by his ex-wife Fergie (as the Duchess of York is affectionately known). Her appearance was a surprise, as Fergie had not joined the royal family’s Christmas walk to church since the early 1990s, as the couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. However, Prince Andrew and Fergie remained friends, even living together together in the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
The two daughters of the former couple, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were also in the traditional Christmas outing.
Fergie (64) shared a photo with her children on her Instagram on Christmas Day. She wrote: “We enjoy each other’s company and feel grateful today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and Happy New Year to all!”
Sarah Ferguson at the royal Christmas 2023.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Prince Andrew attends brother King Charles’ coronation despite stepping back from public royal duties
Prince Andrew announced his decision to “retire from public duties” in 2019, following his bombshell interview with the BBC about his links to disgraced financier Epstein.
In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of his military titles and patronage amid Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him, in which Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with the royal family at the age of 17. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing. An out-of-court settlement was reached in February for an undisclosed amount.
Prince Andrew retained his title as Duke of York and retained his place in the line of succession to the throne, currently eighth behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s two children. However, he no longer uses the style “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.
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Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice are coming for Christmas 2023.
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
Although Prince Andrew is no longer performing royal duties, he still attends family events such as the traditional Easter Sunday church service and their walk to church on Christmas Day last year.
He appeared at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last September, although he was not allowed to wear military uniform like the rest of the family. An exception was made for the princes’ vigil at Westminster Hall when the monarch’s four children – King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – symbolically stood guard around their mother’s coffin, all appearing in uniform.
Prince Andrew also attended the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May.
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Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice on Christmas 2023.
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
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During the US tour for his novel The most intriguing lady this year, Fergie (as Sarah Ferguson is affectionately known) said that it was difficult to see the “death” of her ex-husband.
“You’ve been divorced for many, many years and yet you’re Andrew’s rock,” Good morning America reporter Juju Chang asked Fergie in March. “What was it like watching him go through this grueling public spotlight?”
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Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie on Christmas 2023.
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
“So sad, so sad,” she replied. “We’ve been there for each other – you know, when I’ve been through really bad times in the past, Andrew has always been there.”
“He’s extremely kind and a really, really good grandfather. He’s very firm with the girls,” Fergie continued, referring to Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 33. “We are women who also had to see the death of a very strong man, and that was really hard to see.”
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Source: HIS Education