As King Charles prepares to celebrate Christmas at Sandringham, questions arise over whether Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will join him or remain loyal to their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
In November, it was suggested that inviting Beatrice and Eugenie to Sandringham could be a clever move by King Charles, offering them a chance to spend the festive season away from the shadow of their parents’ controversies. After all, attending a Christmas lunch at Royal Lodge with Andrew and Sarah is likely an invitation many would prefer to avoid, given the public scrutiny surrounding Andrew’s fall from grace.
Over the weekend, reports confirmed that the princesses are indeed facing a difficult choice. Sources say Beatrice is torn between spending Christmas at Sandringham, joining her father at Royal Lodge, or hosting her mother at her new home in the Cotswolds with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their children. Princess Eugenie is also carefully considering her options.
Despite the scandals surrounding their parents, the sisters have consistently remained close to them, reflecting loyalty but also drawing them into the ongoing controversies. Public perception has turned Andrew into a source of ridicule, with jokes about him dominating the comedy scene; for example, a recent quip asked: “Why isn’t Prince Andrew writing any Christmas books? He doesn’t have any titles!”
Beyond the question of where to spend the holiday, the princesses face another dilemma: choosing Christmas gifts for their parents. Finding presents for parents who seemingly already have everything is no easy task. Suggestions range from a golf experience for Andrew—though his past antics make this a tongue-in-cheek choice—to a self-help business book for Sarah Ferguson. Some jest that a stocking filled with real gold coins would be more practical than conventional gifts, helping support the family’s finances.
If Beatrice and Eugenie do join their parents for Christmas dinner, observers joke about serving beef, noting that the ex-Yorks themselves have often been compared to “prize turkeys” in the public eye.
Ultimately, the princesses face a delicate balancing act, weighing family loyalty, public perception, and their own festive plans as the Yuletide approaches.
