Queen criticised for not stripping Prince Andrew of titles

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The royals often attended the Christmas Day service each year as a family, in what has been a tradition for decades. The service takes place at Sandringham but it is expected that the royal will attend a service at St Mary Magdalene church on the Norfolk estate.

Last year, all members were unable to attend due to the Covid but now it is hoped that they will once again be able to return.

Royal sources told the Mirror that Andrew wants to “keep a low profile” over the festive period as the Duke “privately displayed a lot of uncertainty over Christmas”.

They added Andrew is “apprehensive” about attending the event with the rest of the family.

A source said: “The Duke doesn’t want to be a distraction, especially as this is the first time the Queen has had her family all together since the start of the pandemic apart from at Prince Philip’s funeral.

“Everyone is hoping to have a relaxing and joyful time.”

Prince Andrew has already been mentioned three times in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial at Thurgood Marshall US courthouse in lower Manhattan.

She is facing eight charges – including six counts of enticing minors and sex trafficking.

Maxwell, a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein could be sentenced to 80 years in prison if found guilty of all counts. She denies all the charges.

Epstein’s pilot, Epstein’s former housekeeper and one of the alleged victims, Jane, have all spoken at the trial about the alleged actions of Maxwell and Epstein.

Larry Visoski, the pilot, was asked if Prince Andrew flew on the plane with Jeffrey Epstein at any point during their relationship.

Mr Visoski responded: “Yes he did” – but he could not recall the exact dates.

The Duke of York denies having any knowledge of the actions of Jeffrey Epstein in the time he knew him.

He has previously stated: “I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year.

“I have stayed in a number of his residences.

“At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

“I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know.

“I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.”

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The Duke announced he would be leaving his royal duties in November of 2019.

He said: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.

“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.

“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

Prince Andrew has missed a number of royal events since stepping down from the monarchy.

He did not attend the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, where a number of high-profile royals attended.

The 61-year-old instead opted to go horse riding on the day of this event.

At the birth of Princess Beatrice’s daughter in September 2021, Andrew, was not in attendance as he was in Scotland over 500 miles away.

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