PRINCE Edward and wife Sophie were “unhappy” about plans to share a cottage with Prince Andrew for Christmas.
The couple were said to be “less than pleased” when they were informed they would be sleeping with the disgraced Duke of York at Sandringham.
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Prince Edward and wife Sophie were ‘unhappy’ over plans to share a cottage with Prince Andrew for ChristmasCredit: Getty
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The couple were said to be ‘a little pleased’ when they were informed they would be sleeping with the disgraced Duke of York at Sandringham Credit: Ian Whittaker
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Their fears were allayed when Andrew returned his invitation due to pressure to stay out of sight over the Chinese ‘spy’ scandal – pictured at SandringhamCredit: Rex Features
However, their fears were allayed when Andrew reciprocated his invitation amid pressure to stay out of the spotlight because of the Chinese “spy” scandal.
Instead, he is expected to spend the festive period in Windsor with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has described herself as a “nurse” looking after a “sad man”.
An insider said Edward and Sophie were disappointed last year when they “actually got the servants’ quarters” in Norfolk for a formal royal gathering.
Edinburghers felt this year’s choice of Wood Farm – Prince Philip’s former hideaway – was a “step forward”, but were displeased at the thought of Christmas “cheek to cheek with the Yorks”.
The couple were “relieved”, the insider said, when Fergie “encouraged and persuaded” Andrew to stay away.
It has been suggested that his decision was made easier because daughters Beatrice and Eugenie were due to spend Christmas with their in-laws rather than at Sandringham.
However, Beatrice will now head to Norfolk with husband Ed Mapelli Mozzi and their two-year-old daughter Sienna.
She is pregnant and they have been advised that it is safer not to fly abroad to see his family, of course.
Andrew also pulled out of a pre-Christmas lunch for the royal family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
He faced increasing pressure after his connections with Chinese “spy” Yang Tengbo surfaced.
Prince Andrew will never go to Sandringham again – Christmas lunch ban saved Charles from further humiliation, experts say
The Royal Household is investigating claims he took Tengbo to Buckingham Palace and Windsor.
Royal officials declined to comment.
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