The Gist
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Ex-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are reportedly planning to make a major royal appearance on Friday, December 12, their first since their titles were stripped.
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The disgraced royals will step out at their granddaughter Athena’s christening at St. James’s Palace.
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Princess Beatrice reportedly invited her father although things are “not warm” between them.
The royal family has taken major steps to distance itself from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly known as Prince Andrew—in the wake of new revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Not only has the ex-Duke of York lost his titles, privileges, and his lease at his longtime home Royal Lodge, but Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson have been exiled from both public and private royal engagements (including their annual Christmas festivities at Sandringham). However, insiders claim Andrew and Fergie will make their first royal appearance since the scandal this week, breaking their cover for a meaningful Palace event with ties to their daughter, Princess Beatrice.
Andrew hasn’t been a working royal for six years, first stepping back from public-facing duties in 2019 after a controversial BBC interview about his connections with Epstein. However, the disgraced royal’s fall from grace took a more severe turn over the past few months as King Charles and the royal family severed ties amid his latest scandal. Former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have retreated from royal life as well as any past projects and duties, but the former couple are reportedly set to put on a united front while attending a special family milestone: The christening of their granddaughter Athena on Friday, December 12.
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Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend the Easter Service at St George’s Chapel on April 20, 2025 in Windsor, England
Citing inside sources, The Daily Mail revealed that despite some tensions between Princess Beatrice and her dad, the Princess of York and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have decided to invite ex-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to the Chapel Royal event at St. James’s Palace, which will be attended by close friends and family.
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Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice of York during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2025
“Beatrice has, of course, invited her father. But things are not warm between them. However, she’s worried about him,” an inside source reportedly told the publication. “He’s going through a low ebb with his mental health and she recognizes that he dotes on his grandchildren and it would be cruel to deprive him of the chance to attend the christening. Some careful conversations and diplomacy with King Charles will have taken place to get to this stage.”
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Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England
However, the source noted that the celebratory occasion might lead to some awkward interactions, adding, “It’s going to be a royal occasion but everyone is dreading the thought of seeing Andrew there.”
Read the original article on InStyle