Prince Andrew 'may never join appear in public with Royal Family again'

Prince Andrew has been "asked to keep his head down" too many times, according to one royal insider who has spoken out following the scandal around Duke of York's link to a Chinese "spy"

The Duke of York is unlikely to ever appear in the public with the Royal Family again, one insider reportedly fears.

The source has spoken out as it emerged Prince Andrew, 64, is to stay away from the royal family's traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year. Controversy continues to surround the Prince's links to an alleged Chinese spy, who was unmasked on Monday as 50-year-old Yang Tengbo.

Andrew will miss what was expected to be one of the largest festive events at his brother, the King's private Norfolk estate. However, an insider believes the Duke of York may never been seen in public with prominents members of The Firm again. They said: "I find it hard to imagine he will ever join them again in public, if I’m honest. There’s only so many times the duke can be asked to keep his head down and wait for the storm to pass. Enough is enough."

The damning criticism as Andrew has already been stripped of holding any public role or patronage over his links with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and accusations – strongly denied – of sexual assault.

In January 2022, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen."

As the Duke has hit the headlines again, with the "close" links to Mr Tengbo emerging, the source told the Daily Mail Brits should expect to only see Andrew with the Royals at events like weddings and funerals. He was due to join the family on the traditional walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day - when millions see images and video of The Firm in the press - but he'll now be absent.

The Duke's ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York will also miss Christmas at Sandringham, in what will be seen as a show of solidarity for her former husband. The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge, the home they still share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

It is not yet known whether the Duke will attend Charles's traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. It was reported on Monday Andrew had been urged to "uninvite himself" from this function to again spare the Royals from further embarrassment amid the Chinese "spy" row.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have young families, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time, sources said.