THE Duke of York must “uninvite himself” from the Royal Family’s pre-Christmas bash over his friendship with a Chinese spy, say insiders.
Prince Andrew is due to attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace this Thursday.
But a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
The Prince should do “the gentlemanly thing” and skip a festive family lunch this week to avoid fresh embarrassment over the scandal of his Chinese spy pal, insiders say.
Shamed Andy is also being urged to avoid being seen in public when the royals walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day.
His invite to Thursday’s meal at Buckingham Palace for more than 50 members of the extended Royal Family is now said to be untenable, with courtiers urging Andrew not to force King Charles’s hand in barring him.
It would also see him avoid a grilling from his brother in what would be their first face-to-face meeting since the scandal broke.
A source said yesterday: “There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.
“Andrew has managed the unthinkable and made a complete t*t of himself even before the Christmas party.
“It’s been a hell of a year for The Firm and the last thing they want is this scandal dragging on during a period of celebration.
“The thinking is he’s been foolish, but the more he keeps his head down the sooner everyone can move on.”
One source close to the King said Charles would be reluctant to ban his brother outright.
But he might have to rely on courtiers diplomatically “advising” him.
Another insider said: “Andrew is under pressure to step away.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “Andrew should take it on himself and decline both invites. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do so he isn’t embarrassing the King.
“But Andrew is pretty thick-skinned and maybe we have to rely on the influence of Fergie.
“Christmas Day is different because the walk to church is so public and the pictures go all round the world. He should take a back seat and just not go.
“Andrew is an embarrassment for the King at the end of a difficult year where he and the rest of the family have had to deal with cancer and they were looking to start 2025 with optimism.
Andrew has managed the unthinkable and made a complete t*t of himself even before the Christmas party
Sun source
“He shouldn’t have to deal with a brother who has potentially caused a huge political problem.”
The Duke of York was last week described in court papers as a “close confidante” of a suspected Chinese spy.
Named only as H6, the businessman, 50, lost an appeal against a decision to ban him from Britain on national security grounds.
It is the latest scandal to hit the Duke, who withdrew from public life after paying damages to Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, a victim of his US paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein.
Security chiefs feared Beijing was attempting an “elite capture” operation to influence Andrew.
The Home Office believed the businessman had been engaged in covert activity and his relationship with Andrew, 64, could be used for political interference.
It’s been a hell of a year for The Firm and the last thing they want is this scandal dragging on during a period of celebration
Sun source
MI5 launched a probe into the Duke’s China links.
He was made a trade envoy to the communist country in 2001 and held events there for Pitch@Palace, his programme to link businesses with investors.
The scandal comes after Andrew won his battle to stay at his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
Despite the King axing his annual £3million allowance, the Duke secured mystery funding to pay for his upkeep and security.
Palace officials have been assured the cash is from legitimate sources.
The Chinese spy was invited to the Duke’s 60th birthday party at Royal Lodge and attended events at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.
In a statement Andrew’s office said he ceased contact with the man after concerns were raised by ministers and the pair never discussed anything sensitive.
The Palace declined to comment.
