Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, known affectionately as Fergie, joined the royal family for their annual Christmas Day church service, marking a notable presence since their separation in the 1990s.
Despite Prince Andrew stepping back from his royal duties in 2019 and losing his military titles and patronages in 2022 due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, he was seen with the royal family attending the festive service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk.
Fergie’s participation in the Christmas walk to church alongside the royal family was particularly unexpected, as she had not been part of this tradition since the early 1990s. The couple, who separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, have maintained a friendly relationship and continue to reside together at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were also present for the Christmas outing. Fergie, 64, shared a heartfelt Christmas message on her Instagram, expressing gratitude and seasonal greetings.
The backdrop to this reunion includes Prince Andrew’s controversial withdrawal from public duties following his BBC interview regarding his connections with Epstein. In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth removed his military titles and patronages amid Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him, which was later settled out of court.
Prince Andrew retains his Duke of York title and remains in the line of succession, although he no longer uses “His Royal Highness” officially. He continues to attend family events, including the funeral services for Queen Elizabeth and King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation.
Fergie, during a U.S. press tour, reflected on the challenges Prince Andrew has faced, acknowledging his kindness and role as a grandfather. She shared her sentiments about witnessing the difficult times he has endured.
