Prince Edward and Sophie ‘Saddened’ at King Charles plan for them at Christmas
Prince Edward and wife Sophie have been left “unhappy” at plans for them to share cottage with disgraced Prince Andrew at Christmas. Edward and wife Sophie were “unhappy” at plans for them from the Royal Family over the Christmas period.
The couple were said to be “less than pleased” when informed they would be bunking up with the disgraced Duke of York. Thankfully, their fears haven’t come to fruition – with Andrew set to spend Christmas apart from the rest of the royals.
Andrew sent back his invitation amid pressure to stay out of sight over the China “spy” scandal and his links to Yang Tengbo. He is instead expected to spend the festive period in Windsor with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who is the Duchess of York.
Edward and Sophie have been left disheartened after being “effectively given the servants’ quarters” at the estate in Norfolk in the east of England. The Edinburghs felt this year’s choice of Wood Farm was a “step up”.
But they were unhappy at the thought of Christmas “cheek by jowl with the Yorks”. The pair were “relieved”, the insider said, when Fergie “encouraged and cajoled” Andrew in to not appearing and attending over the festive season.
The former couple, who still live together, will celebrate December 25 on their own at Royal Lodge in Windsor; their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie had reportedly already been invited to spend Christmas with their in-laws.
And the King is said to be very thankful to his former sister-in-law for stepping in, with a palace source telling the Times: “I know that the King is very grateful to the duchess for her assistance.” Last Christmas, along with their two daughters, they were invited to Sandringham for the festive celebrations and took part in the royal family’s traditional morning walk to church.
