It’s been just over a week since the Princess of Wales hosted her annual Carol service, but only now are spectators clocking on that one regular attendee was missing from the guest list.
It turns out that the individual in question – who was once considered a high-profile member of the monarchy – before becoming embroiled in headline hitting global controversy – lost out on an invite from Kate altogether, despite King Charles having allegedly vouch for them.
The carol service took place at the weekend (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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For those out of the loop with the royal event, 42-year-old Kate Middleton last week welcomed hoards of celebrants into Westminster Abbey for the annual carol service she holds each year, which is televised on ITV on the run-up to Christmas.
Joined by husband Prince William and their children – Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte – the Wales’ were seen sitting on the front row directly in front of Lady Rose Gilman and her partner George.
Though King Charles III and Queen Camilla remained at home – both getting over their recent respective health woes – and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still residing in the States, countless other members of the institution showed up to the special event.
Amongst them were Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and her children, as well as Prince Edward’s wife – Sophie Wessex, Duchess of Edinburgh – and Princess Beatrice.
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According to reports, a further 22 other minor royals were also in attendance.
Kate reportedly chose not to invite Andrew for the second year running (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Someone noticeable missing from the festivities was the disgraced Prince Andrew, who’d previously been a firm member on the guest list.
According to royal columnist Ephraim Hardcastle, however, Kate knew exactly what she was doing by not inviting him.
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Hardcastle began by explaining that, whilst Charles may have extended an invite for Andrew to spend Christmas with he and Camilla in Sandringham this year, the Wales’ are keeping their distance.
“William and Kate aren’t sharing the love,” he penned.
“A mole whispers that for the second year running, suggestions that Andrew be invited to Kate’s annual carol service, possibly seated behind a pillar, were rejected.”
The royal expert added: “Although very much a family affair… there was no space for Uncle Andy.”
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Prince Andrew resigned from his official duties in May 2020 amid the investigation into his relationship with convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein – during which the royal father-of-two was also accused of having sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre when she was a minor.
Prince Andrew did not receive an invite to the service (Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
As a result, Andrew was stripped of his royal and military titles, and has since remained somewhat on the sidelines of the royal family.
Last week’s exclusion wouldn’t be the first time that William and Kate have attempted to block Charles’ attempts to put the controversy surrounding Andrew’s antics to bed, with Hardcastle claiming he tried to pull the same move in 2023.
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“Last year, the King tried to get W&K to bury the hatchet during a gathering at Balmoral, where he cajoled them into giving Andrew a lift to church so the trio could be photographed together,” he wrote.
“The initiative failed.”
