Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Attend Royal Christmas Lunch as Dad Prince Andrew Skips amid Scandal

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left) Princess Beatrice driving to the Buckingham Palace pre-Christmas lunch on Dec. 19, 2024; (Right) Princess Eugenie driving to the Buckingham Palace pre-Christmas lunch on Dec. 19, 2024.Photo:Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenieare continuing with a Christmas tradition despite fallout around their fatherPrince Andrew’sspeculated connectionto an alleged Chinese “spy.”

Prince Andrew and Ferguson, who divorced in 1996 but remain close today,are similarly skippingthe royal family’s Christmas celebration at Sandringham on Dec. 25, and it’s understood their daughters will as well. However, the harsh spotlight on their father didn’t dissuade the princesses from attending the palace lunch on Dec. 19.

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice drive to the Buckingham Palace lunch on Dec. 19, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were both photographed traveling to the private family meal, a holiday tradition King Charles has maintained from his late motherQueen Elizabeth’s reign.

Princess Beatrice, whois pregnantwith her second child, smiled as she rode with her husbandEdoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie also looked out the window as she rode with her husband,Jack Brooksbank.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie drive to the Buckingham Palace lunch on Dec. 19, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Other royals spotted driving to the Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch included King Charles, 76,Queen Camilla,Princess Anneand her husbandVice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence,Prince EdwardandSophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, plus more extended family members and friends.

The latePrincess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto, her husband Daniel Chatto and their son Samuel Chatto, plus Margaret’s granddaughterLady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, were seen heading to the palace party, as were royal relatives from the Windsor and Taylor branches of the family. Queen Elizabeth’s first cousinPrincess Alexandramade a rare appearance at the family event, which the latePrince Philip’s friend,Penny Knatchbullalso attended.

King Charles drives to the Buckingham Palace lunch on Dec. 19, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

TheDaily Mailreported Prince and Princess Michael’s daughter,Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael, was there as well. The February death of Lady Gabriella’s late husbandThomas Kingstonremains the subject of anongoing inquest, and earlier in December, she broke her silence at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court around his “impulsive” death at age 45.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent drive to the Buckingham Palace lunch on Dec. 19, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Prince William,Kate Middletonand their children surprisingly skipped the luncheon, breaking with precedent from years past. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their kidsPrince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6, were never expected to attend the event, which is an informal way for the extended family to come together before the Christmas holiday.

The Wales family is already in Norfolk, England, over 100 miles away from London, ahead of the royal family’s private Christmas festivities at the Sandringham Estate.

The Wales family at the Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

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PEOPLE understands that Prince William and Princess Kate, both 42, are looking forward to catching up with family at Sandringham over Christmas as usual.

Step inside the royals' holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition:Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.

source: people.com