Duke of York Faces Consequences for Latest Controversy
Prince Andrew has made the difficult decision to skip Buckingham Palace’s pre-Christmas celebration this week, a move widely seen as a response to the ongoing backlash over his alleged ties to Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo, an alleged "spy."
The Duke of York, 64, will not join around 70 royal family members at the festive gathering, reportedly following advice from his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. According to The Daily Mail, Ferguson encouraged Andrew to maintain a low profile to avoid further negative publicity.
This marks another setback for Andrew, who has faced intense scrutiny over his controversial connections. His decision to step back from the event is seen as a self-imposed punishment for what many view as an "unwise" choice to trust unknown individuals.
The scandal has once again thrust Andrew into the spotlight, following previous controversies surrounding his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After his infamous BBC interview in 2019, Andrew was forced to step down from public duties, and this latest episode threatens to deepen his isolation from the royal family.
Reports suggest that King Charles III supported the Duchess of York’s efforts to keep Andrew out of the spotlight, prioritising the monarchy’s reputation during the festive season.
As Andrew retreats from the Palace event, his absence underscores the ongoing challenges he faces in regaining public trust and rehabilitating his tarnished image.
