Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, spent Christmas at Sandringham with King Charles and the wider Royal Family. Biographer Robert Jobson noted that their attendance was likely a matter of protocol rather than preference.
“They would say, ‘I’m a royal princess. I’m in line to the throne. I have been invited to attend the King’s Christmas celebrations, and you don’t turn down the King’s invitation.’”
“It’s not an invitation – it’s a command, really,” he added.
A difficult adjustment
Sources describe Andrew as struggling to adjust to his diminished status. One insider alleged he has been spending long hours alone at Royal Lodge, playing military video games and “muttering and ranting to himself.” “He’s finding it hard to accept the loss of his status,” the source said.
Sarah, meanwhile, has reportedly sought solace in private, occasionally retreating to a nearby bar known as the Dog House.
Speculation continues over Andrew’s future. While Marsh Farm has been suggested as a temporary solution, some biographers believe he may look abroad. “He doesn’t like the sound of being on the Sandringham estate. I think he wants to go somewhere where he can just get away from everything,” said Andrew Lownie.
Robert Jobson suggested Bahrain could be an option, noting Andrew’s past connections there. “One never knows — it could be a place where Andrew gets the recognition of being the second son of Queen Elizabeth, rather than this,” he said, adding, “Other disgraced people have gone to the Middle East.”
Looking ahead
Despite the turmoil, Sarah is reportedly considering building a life separate from Andrew. Friends say she is exploring the possibility of finding her own home in Windsor and reviving her publishing and media career.
“She’s a fighter,” a source close to her said.
The pair have remained publicly cordial. They were both present at the private christening of Princess Beatrice’s daughter in December 2025, arriving quietly and departing without attending the reception.
Yet Sarah’s campaign of Christmas cards has highlighted the couple’s uncertain standing. As one insider concluded, “Sarah’s always been warm and personable, but this feels overdone. It reflects the pressure she has been under.”