William and Kate miss the royal family’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace | UK News

On By Littum

The Prince and Princess of Wales will not join the Royal Family for its traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, it is understood.

William and Kate is already in Norfolk as planned and looking forward to spending time with the rest of the the royal family at Sandringham over Christmas, a royal source said.

The Buckingham Palace lunch is a private event for senior royals and their wider family who will not be at the Christmas celebrations at the King’s Norfolk home.

Prince Andrew decided not to attend the gathering after speaking to his ex-wife and close friend Sarah, Duchess of York, according to a source, amid continued speculation over his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

Britain's William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome during the state visit of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani at Horse Guards Parade in London, United Kingdom, December 3, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Qatari Emir’s state visit to London earlier this month. Picture: PA

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for King Charles' Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Picture: PA
Picture:
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for King Charles’ Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Picture: PA

The king’s brother had already pulled out of joining senior royals at Sandringham over the Christmas period.

Businessman Yang Tengbowho was banned from Britain, was named by the High Court as Andrew’s “close” confidant after an anonymity order was lifted on Monday.

He has denied involvement in espionage, saying he has “done nothing wrong or illegal”.

Yang helped establish the Chinese arm of the Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace initiative and visited Buckingham Palace twice in 2018 to meet with the late Queen’s second son.

He is also said to have entered St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle at Andrew’s invitation.

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Who is the alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo?

Last Friday, before the businessman was named, the duke’s office said Andrew “ceased all contact” with him when concerns about him were first raised.

Andrew met Yang through “official channels” with “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed,” a statement said.

The Duke, now 64, has disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019 following furore over his friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.