Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s grandchildren are a “perfect excuse” for them to skip the festive celebrations at the Sandringham estate, a royal expert has claimed.
Their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, both have partners and children of their own. Married to Jack Brooksbank, Eugenie, 34, is mum to August, three, and one-year-old Ernest.
As well as being stepmother to eight-year-old Wolfie, Beatrice, 36, shares three-year-old Sienna with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
King Charles is set to welcome his family to the Sandringham estate for another year of festive celebrations but, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, the house could be too full with extended members as the family grows further.
Speaking to OK!, Ms Bond said: “As families expand, life gets more complicated. And the Yorks now have two sons-in-law and four grandchildren to consider. So it is beginning to become untenable to have the whole extended royal family under one roof at Sandringham…especially with Camilla’s family to consider as well.”
The King will undoubtedly extend an invite to his brother and his family, with the expert adding: “Charles is not a vindictive man…far from it…and whatever has gone on between the brothers, I think he will always extend an invitation for Andrew and his family to share big family occasions.”
Explaining that it could be easier for Andrew an Sarah to do their own celebrations, she added: “But Andrew’s own growing family will give him and Sarah the perfect reason to avoid Sandringham and surround themselves with their daughters and little ones. Beatrice and Eugenie are very protective of both their parents.
“And you can’t help but think that life would be easier all round if the Yorks began to stage their own festivities at Christmas.”
Although the Duke of York and Sarah currently have four grandchildren to consider for Christmas, next year will include another member as Beatrice is set to welcome her second child in early 2025.
The mum-of-one annouced her pregnancy earlier this year. Sarah referring to her experience as a grandmother as “one of the greatest privileges of my life” in a past Instagram post.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, are confirmed to be attending the celebrations in Sandringham.
According to the Mirror, one insider claimed that the King is looking forward to spending Christmas with his family. They said: “The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.”
