Two weeks ago Prince Andrew was questioned by Emily Maitlis for a special episode of BBC Newsnight, speaking on his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Following the interview, the Duke of York has faced backlash, with a number of charities, businesses and organisations cutting ties. 

Andrew then released a statement announcing he would be “stepping back” from royal duties and all 230 patronages. 

The statement read: “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.”

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

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“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.”

The next big Royal Family gathering will be Donald Trump’s state visit for NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace next week – which Prince Andrew will not be attending.

The occasion, which will mark 70 years of the NATO alliance, will be attended by royal family members such as the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Following this, royal fans will likely next see The Firm at Christmas. 

Each year royals travel to the Queen’s Sandringham estate to decorate the tree, have dinner together and attend Christmas Day mass at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Writing for News.au royal expert Daniela Elser has said Christmas will be a test for Prince Andrew. 

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Ms Elser said: “What should be nothing more than an enjoyable day for Her Majesty will instead be seen as a litmus test for the future of her embattled son, Andrew, the Duke of York.

“Last Wednesday the Duke announced he was resigning from official duties, the first senior royal to step back from ‘the job’ since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936.

“The significance of Andrew’s move cannot be underestimated and whether he voluntarily stepped back or was pushed by his mum, this is a humiliating and historic end to his career as an HRH.”

Prince Andrew usually joins his mother for Christmas along with his daughters and sometimes ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

But this year there is speculation he won’t be attending following the Newsnight interview.

While the Queen has been spotted out horseriding with her son, the interview – which was deemed a car crash by one royal commentator – has caused a split within the Royal Family.

His older brother Prince Charles is believed to have insisted the Queen make Andrew step back from public duties following the interview’s broadcast, as public opinion plunged.

A poll released in The Times revealed just six percent of respondents believed Andrew was telling the truth about his relationship with Epstein. 

While a YouGov poll placed Prince Andrew last in a list of royals who should or should not receive public funding. 

According to the poll of 1,642 British adults, 67 percent say Prince Andrew should not receive public funding.

Just 13 percent of those surveyed said the Duke of York should continue to get public funds, while 19 percent did not know.

Ms Elser said: “With the Queen, Charles and William calling the shots during this ongoing saga, they have proven surprisingly responsive and sensitive to public feeling meaning that given this polling, Andrew’s attendance at events such as the Palace Christmas lunch could be up for debate.

“Technically, the Queen’s Christmas shindig is a private affair but every year the dozens of members of the family who attend are photographed arriving and leaving. 

“Given this polling (which also found that six out of ten people in the UK think that Andrew has damaged the reputation of the royal family) what message would it send to see images of the Duke grinning cheerfully as he sped into the Palace for a jolly knees-up?”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will not attend the royal Christmas this year, instead, spending the celebration with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.

The statement read: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month.

“Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, [the couple] will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria.”

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William could also forgo the festive stay at Sandringham, instead spending Christmas with the Middletons – something the family has done in the past.

Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday party – which was due to take place in February 2020 – has been cancelled by the Queen. 

What was meant to be a big celebration for Andrew’s milestone birthday will instead be a “small family dinner” according to The Times.

Buckingham Palace told Express.co.uk they do not confirm in advance which royals will attend Sandringham for Christmas with the Queen. 

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