PRINCE Andrew has been spotted with his ex-wife after it was revealed she will no longer attend the royal Christmas at Sandringham.
The disgraced duke left Windsor at about a quarter to three this afternoon, leaving a few minutes before the King’s Speech was broadcast to the nation.
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Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah pictured in Windsor today Credit: Chris Eades
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They were spotted in a black Land Rover Defender, followed by a similar vehicleCredit: Chris Eades
The Duke of York, 64, has reportedly turned down the annual festivities organized by King Charles.
He drove from his home, Royal Lodge, which he still shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
It comes after it was recently revealed that the duke was involved in a Chinese spy scandal.
He has been described as a “close confidant” of alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
The pair are understood to have shared a friendship for more than ten years, with the latter banned from entering the UK due to national security concerns.
COMMENTARY: Spy scandal for Andrew more damaging than Epstein
The prince’s biographer Andrew Lownie told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive this week that the spy scandal was “probably the most damaging”.
He said: “It’s more damaging than Epstein. I think the story will drag on for the next year.
“He has always been much more sensitive to financial scandals in his life than to sexual ones.
“These stories have not really been investigated. This will have to lead to greater transparency of the royal finances.
“This has unlocked a whole series of events that I think will be very damaging to the monarchy.
“This will give new impetus to the press to investigate his financial affairs and how he affords his life at the Royal Lodge.
“A lot of things have yet to be released to the public. Much has already come to light in the past week about his activities.
“That’s the tip of the iceberg. He was extorting money from people in the Middle East and Central Asia.
“When these stories come out, I think he will be completely healthy.
“The danger is that they will take the royal family with them.”
In a statement released two weeks ago, Andrew’s office said: “The Duke of York has followed HMG’s advice and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.
“The Duke met the individual through official channels, without discussing anything sensitive.
“He cannot comment further on matters relating to national security.”
The suspected spy had previously lost his appeal, which led to the scandal becoming public.
In their ruling, the judges pointed to what they called an “unusual degree of trust” the man had from the senior royal.
They added: “Obviously the pressures on the Duke could make him vulnerable to the abuse of that kind of influence.”
The man, known as H6, was banned last year by then Home Secretary Suella Braverman after officials raised concerns.
Earlier this week, experts revealed that the prince will never go to Sandringham again to save Charles from humiliation.
Biographer Andrew Lownie told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “I don’t think she will ever go to Sandringham again.”
He added that other members of the royal family “need to distance themselves from him” to avoid any further embarrassment.
Lownie described how the prince was “forced” out of the formal celebration.
CHINA must be placed in the highest threat category, MPS requirement
JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent
CHINA must be placed in the category of the greatest threat in the new register of foreign influence, MPs demanded tonight.
Ministers have been accused of stalling after confirming that the list of clandestine operators would not be active for at least six months.
The Beijing “spy” row has sparked angry exchanges between Labor and the Tories, with both sides claiming the other was recklessly subservient to the communist regime.
Sir Keir Starmer was criticized for taking a “sycophantic tone” with President Xi at the G20 summit last month.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the long-awaited foreign influence registration scheme would be launched next summer.
The scheme – announced by the Conservatives – will force people working for overseas powers to report their activities to the Home Office.
It is divided into two levels, with the highest “enhanced level” for hostile states that require additional screening.
A government source told The Sun that China is not currently earmarked for that category.
Former Tory security minister Tom Tugendhat, who spearheaded the scheme in government, said yesterday: “The advice from MI5 was very, very clear. If China is not at an improved level, it is not worth having.”
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman added: “Isn’t it unfortunate that it took a high-profile case, public outcry and opposition to drag a minister into the chamber for the government to finally commit to implementing the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.”
And former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith fumed: “How could someone who was known for the strength of the security committee be allowed to get so close to a member of the royal family without proper oversight to expose him.”
Mr Jarvis insisted the Government would not hesitate to use “every tool at our disposal” to keep Britain safe – and blamed the Tories for leaving the register plans in disarray.
He said: “Where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we are committed to using the full range of available powers to disrupt them.”
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp attacked Sir Keir’s summit meeting with President Xi last month.
He said: “Given what we’ve learned and what we know, these very close relationships that the prime minister is clearly trying to have may not be wise, and the rather sycophantic tone that the prime minister had with President Xi at the G20 a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we have now.”
Pointing out David Cameron’s infamous beer with the Chinese strongman, Mr Jarvis retorted: “At least he didn’t take him to the pub for a pint.”
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The Duke of York at the Christmas morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, two years agoCredit: PA
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King Charles’ Christmas speech was broadcast to the nation just after three this afternoonCredit: Unknown, clear with picture table
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