Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have long been a part of the royal family's Christmas traditions at Sandringham. However, this year, reports have emerged that they will miss the annual celebrations. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, their parents, will not be at the gathering hosted by King Charles. Instead, they are likely to spend Christmas at their shared home, Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate.

Absence at Sandringham

Last year, both Andrew and Ferguson were in attendance at Sandringham and even participated in the annual Christmas walk. But this year, amid reports of Andrew's alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy, they have decided to stay away. Sarah Ferguson's attendance in 2023 marked her first public appearance at Sandringham in 30 years since her separation from Prince Andrew in 1992.Beatrice, 36, has been married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi since 2020 and is expecting her second child with him in early 2025. She and Edo share daughter Sienna Elizabeth, 3, and Christopher Woolf (known as Wolfie), 8. Eugenie, 34, married Jack Brooksbank in 2018 and they have sons August, 3, and Ernest, 1.The York sisters have only missed one Christmas at the Norfolk estate in the past decade - 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For most of their lives, they have spent Christmas at Sandringham as young girls. This year will be the first time they are spending the holiday with their respective in-laws since their marriages.

Family Decisions

PEOPLE understands that both Beatrice and Eugenie had invitations to spend Christmas with their in-laws some time ago and decided to do so. It was reported that it was Sarah Ferguson who encouraged Prince Andrew to bow out, sacrificing her own invitation. The decision for them to stay at Royal Lodge is thought to have been made easier by the sisters' plans to spend Christmas with their in-laws.

Andrew and Ferguson's Relationship

Ferguson recently spoke to The Sunday Times about Prince Andrew. She said that when it comes to marrying him, she "would do it all over again, 100 percent." The couple married on July 23, 1986, and divorced a decade later. Ferguson added that Andrew is the best with a great heart and kind. She said their wedding day was the best day of her life but also mentioned that she gave up her anonymity. "I was able to because love conquers all. It's still with us today," she said.