Prince Andrew will not join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas this year following a scandal linking him to an alleged Chinese spy, royal sources have confirmed. Instead, the Duke of York will remain at his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, where he will spend the holiday with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The scandal erupted after a Chinese businessman, Yang Tengbo—identified in court documents as “H6”—lost an appeal last week against being barred from the UK on national security grounds. Yang, who has denied all allegations, had developed close ties with Prince Andrew, visiting Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle as his guest.
Yang was also invited to Prince Andrew’s birthday party in 2020 and was reportedly told by a royal aide that he could represent the Duke’s interests with potential investors in China. Prince Andrew issued a statement last week saying he had ceased contact with Yang after being warned by security services and insisted that nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed.
Royal Fallout and Embarrassment
Sources close to the monarchy revealed that King Charles III and senior royals are “exasperated” by the latest controversy involving Andrew, as it heaps further shame on the Royal Family. The King was reportedly briefed by British intelligence regarding the potential security breach, raising concerns that Yang may have acted as a “gateway agent” to introduce Chinese intelligence operatives into the Duke’s network.
While Yang continues to deny the allegations, claiming he is a victim of rising political tensions between the UK and China, the scandal marks another embarrassing chapter for Andrew, who has faced intense scrutiny since stepping back from royal duties in 2019.
History of Scandal
The Duke’s reputation was severely damaged following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew failed to address his links to Epstein or allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 years old. Andrew later reached a 12 million pound out-of-court settlement with Giuffre but has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The Chinese spy scandal has only worsened Andrew’s already strained relationship with the monarchy. Despite attempts by King Charles to reconcile with his brother, including inviting him to join the family’s Christmas celebrations last year, Andrew’s latest troubles have reportedly forced the King’s hand.
Staying Away from Christmas Festivities
Sources confirmed that Prince Andrew will not attend this year’s royal gathering at Sandringham or the annual Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch for extended family members. A royal insider stated that the King and other family members are as exasperated as can be with the Duke over this latest issue. It is of grave embarrassment to him and the institution.
Despite being cut off financially and no longer receiving funds to cover his three million pound-a-year private security, Andrew had spent Christmas with the Royal Family last year. He was seen attending church services and mingling with royal fans—a stark contrast to this year’s decision to stay out of the public eye.
Yang Denies Allegations
Yang Tengbo, speaking through his legal team, maintained that the Home Office’s concerns are ill-founded, describing accusations that he is a spy as entirely untrue. He said he had decided to reveal his identity to counter misreporting and speculation surrounding his relationship with Andrew.
In his statement, Yang argued that he had been unfairly targeted due to deteriorating UK-China relations, saying that when relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, he is welcome in the UK.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing scandal has sparked fresh questions about Prince Andrew’s judgment and his associations, with intelligence services continuing to investigate the matter. The fallout further isolates the Duke, who remains sidelined from royal duties and under intense public scrutiny.
