The Christmas walk at Sandringham has always been symbolic for the royal family. The procession to St. Mary Magdalene’s Church emphasizes the monarch’s role as head of the Church of England. It was also a moment for the family to show unity and spotlight the future leaders of the family.
King Charles and Queen Camilla led the walk today, followed by Princess Anne. Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Wales, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were also in attendance.
Those families were expected. But it was a surprise to see Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie join the march.
This show of solidarity comes just over a month after her father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was stripped of his royal title due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Their mother, Sarah Ferguson, was also revealed to have a closer relationship with Epstein than previously known, according to recently released emails. Neither was seen at the festival.
Questions are swirling over what role Beatrice and Eugenie will play in the royal family following Prince Charles’ decision to strip the Andrew family of their “style, title and honor”. Both retained their royal titles, but it was unclear whether they would take on royal duties.
Taking part in the Sandringham procession means they are foregoing celebrations with their fathers and mothers and choosing to align themselves with the royal family. Eugenia and her husband Jack Bruskbank walked behind Princess Anne, who was escorted by her husband Sir Timothy Lawrence. This placed the couple in a prominent position next to the king and queen. Beatriz and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were at the end of the group. Neither couple brought their children. Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, were not far behind King Charles.
Andrew Rowney, historian and author of “Title: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” said attending Christmas with his family will be something of a test. “Prince Charles is putting them to the test and giving them the strange task of finding out what public opinion would be if they were given a royal commission.”
The appearance of the daughters does not necessarily mean that they will be welcomed as full-fledged working royalty. Because Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s relationship with Epstein caused serious financial problems, there may be a need for a more thorough audit of the princesses’ affairs “to make sure everything is in order and nothing embarrassing”, Lowney said. If “skeleton” appear, “you might see them detached,” he says.
Queen Camilla, wearing a bold red coat and matching hat, waved to the well-wishers. King Charles wore a brown coat and brown boots. Princess Eugenie wore a burgundy and brown plaid coat and a burgundy fascinator. Princess Eugenie also wore a plaid coat, but with a smaller plaid pattern and a burgundy pillbox hat.
This will also be Andrew and Fergie’s last holiday at Royal Lodge, where they have lived virtually rent-free for many years. The palace announced that he would instead take up residence at Sandringham Manor. Mr Andrew is reportedly opposed to the move. “He’s basically digging into his heels,” Lowney said.
