Prince Andrew urged to move to Frogmore Cottage as duke withdraws from Royal Family Christmas: ‘It would work well for him’
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers has suggested Prince Andrew should consider moving to Frogmore Cottage following his decision to withdraw from the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations.
Speaking to GB News, Vickers outlined how the property would be an ideal choice as it sits within Windsor Great Park’s security boundary, amid the Duke’s row with King Charles over Royal Lodge.
Prince Andrew has pulled out of the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham this year after discussions with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The Duke of York, 64, made his decision on Monday following public pressure “to do the decent thing”.
“Actually going to Frogmore Cottage would work very well for him, because he would still be within the security boundary of Windsor Great Park,” Vickers said.
He explained there would be “no extra expense” to protect Andrew there, as security is already in place for other Royal Family members and Windsor Castle.
It remains unclear whether the Duke will attend a pre-Sandringham lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, though there is a “working assumption” at the Palace that he will not attend.
Vickers told GB News that Andrew has maintained a largely quiet profile since stepping down after the Newsnight interview.
“Apart from issuing some denials from time to time, he’s really been pretty quiet ever since,” Vickers said.
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The royal commentator suggested that until recently, the family had achieved an appropriate balance regarding Andrew’s involvement.
“Nobody wants Prince Andrew in public life, that’s completely accepted. He would not be a benefit anywhere. But privately, he’d been included in Christmases,” he said.
However, Vickers noted that recent calls for Andrew to be banned from Christmas gatherings left him with “no choice” but to stay away.
Vickers stated: “I think at that point, he really probably did have no choice. He just decided that it would be best to stay away, but it’s become quite unpleasant.
“He isn’t going to return to public life. I don’t really see what else he can do, unless he decides to go and live abroad somewhere.”
Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have reportedly urged Sarah Ferguson to convince Prince Andrew to “completely withdraw from royal life”.
According to a royal source, the King and Queen have privately indicated they would welcome Fergie persuading her ex-husband to “see sense” and withdraw from upcoming family gatherings.