Ever since her divorce from Prince Andrew in 1992, Sarah Ferguson has been banned from joining in the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations, despite being Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother.
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Building new bridges
King Charles III has reportedly extended an olive branch to his ex-sister-in-law, Sarah Ferguson, and invited her to join the Royal Family for Christmas. It will be the first time in 30 that Fergie hasn't spent Christmas alone. After she split with Prince Andrew, Sarah was forbidden to attend the family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations while Prince Philip and the Queen were alive.
According to reports, the King has ordered staff to prepare Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate for the entire York family.
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A source told The Sun:
For 30 years, she (Sarah Ferguson) used to have Christmas dinner on her own. But things are being done differently now.
Should Fergie accept the King’s invitation, she will join the Royal Family on Christmas Eve in Sandringham’s White room to exchange Christmas presents. Speculation is that the Duchess of York could even appear on Christmas morning as the Family walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
Rumour has it that even disgraced Prince Andrew has been invited. A source reportedly told The Sun:
Andrew is banned from public life but you can’t ban him from family Christmas.
Christmas snubs
According to a royal expert, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are unlikely to return to the UK to celebrate Christmas with Harry’s family.
It may dishearten King Charles as many of his ‘olive branches’ seem to have been rejected by his youngest son.
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The expert said:
He’s clearly not going to come home for Christmas and I’m sure Charles will be very upset.
The main speculation for the Sussexes absence at the Royal Family’s first big Christmas get-together since the pandemic is their Netflix docuseries deal.
How the Royal Family celebrates Christmas
The Royal Family get many of their Christmas traditions from their German heritage. Therefore, they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve during the evening meal.
On Christmas Day morning, the Royal Family attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church before heading back to Sandringham Estate for lunch. After this, the family reportedly sat and watched the Queen’s speech. However, King Charles has reportedly axed this Christmas tradition this year.
Sources used:
The Sun: ROYAL RIFT Meghan Markle news – Sussexes ‘clearly’ not returning to the UK this Christmas as they snub King Charles ‘olive branch’
Metro: Fergie ‘invited for royal Christmas for first time since Andrew split in 1992’
Royal.uk: The Royal Family at Christmas
