Prince Andrew attends Buckingham Palace Xmas party alongside Queen & Prince Charles after being stripped of royal duties
PRINCE Andrew has made a surprise appearance at the Queen’s annual Christmas party held for her staff at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of York, 59, was pictured arriving tonight at the soiree, following being “sacked” from royal duties in November.
It was reported that the Duke of York, under fire over claims he allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old and for his friendship with billionaire US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, will conduct no royal or public duties and will step back from all patronages.
But Prince Andrew, who has denied any wrongdoing, has joined the Queen and other senior royals today at the bash held for around 400 staff members each year.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said his attendance at the traditional event is proof that the Queen’s “favourite son” is being rallied around by members of the family.
Speaking to Fabulous Digital, he said: “The fact that Andrew has turned up to this Christmas event at Buckingham Palace today shows that he is being supported by the rest of the royal family.
“If he had not gone it would have looked terrible – like he was an outcast from his own relatives.
“The Queen in particular will have been anxious to show solidarity with her favourite son.”
Phil added that the timing of the event could be “awkward”, following Prince Charles having strong words with his younger brother.
He added: “Prince Charles is said to have read the riot act to Andrew and told him to drop out of public life for the foreseeable future, and possibly permanently.
“So there might be a bit of friction between the brothers.
“Charles is fond of Andrew but realises his brother has to stop royal duties for the sake of the monarchy in the wake of the Epstein scandal, which is not going away and could get worse.
“You would love to be a fly on the wall and at Sandringham for Christmas – the royals certainly have a lot to talk about!”
Every year, the Queen pays for the staff party herself to thank her royal employees and the event is expected to formally run for around two hours.
Staff will be treated to a drinks and canapes reception in the State rooms of the palace, joined by senior royals.
After the royals depart, staff are said to continue the celebrations well into the night, flooding into local pubs for a tipple.
Her Majesty is also set to host a pre-Christmas turkey feast for extended family at the palace on Wednesday before going to Sandringham for the festive period.
It has been reported that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be absent from all of the Queen’s parties this week.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to stay out of the UK with baby Archie until the new year.
They are said to be spending Christmas with Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, at an unknown location abroad.
But their absence isn’t a snub and they have told the Queen about their plans.
One source said: “As the couple made clear a few weeks ago, they are taking some time away together as a family.
“This means that they will miss Christmas events.”
The Sussexes are on a six-week break from royal duties at the moment.
Harry and Meghan have attended the annual staff Christmas party at Buckingham Palace in previous years.
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We shared how Prince Andrew’s sex accuser has claimed he has put Beatrice and Eugenie ‘through hell’ by ‘hanging around known paedos’.
And Prince Andrew was told ‘Everybody makes mistakes’ as Archbishop of Canterbury defends Duke over Epstein ‘sex slave’ scandal.