Prince Andrew was encouraged to make a big decision about his future by a royal expert as rumors swirl about what he’s doing next.
Royal expert Richard Eden claimed in the Daily Mail that the Duke of York was “encouraged” not to spend Christmas at Sandringham after he was embroiled in yet another incident, this time with an alleged Chinese spy.
But while Andrew, 64, has been the subject of another big news story, Eden claimed there was a possibility that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, could appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
Mr Eden said the rumor mill was started by journalist Dan Walker. He said: “I hear she could compete on Strictly. “I spoke to her about six weeks ago, and all (the royals) are watching,” says former contestant and newsreader Dan Walker. “Fergie is probably the ( who would do it), or perhaps one of her daughters, but it takes so much time.”
The latest twist in the story of the Duke of York comes as speculation grows about what his future holds in the wake of the Chinese spy scandal. The scandal centered around Yang Tengbo, 50, who was banned from the UK over fears he was using Andrew as a cover for espionage.
After the incident, a royal expert suggested that Andrew would never be invited to Sandringham for Christmas dinner again. Andrew Lownie told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive: “I don’t think he will go to Sandringham ever again.”
Meanwhile, another expert has claimed that even though Andrew was not present at the royal family’s Christmas celebrations, it does not mean he is willing to give up any last ounce of power he has left.
Katie Nicholl, royal correspondent for Vanity Fair, came out and criticized Andrew’s “very poor judgement” on the Royal Beat programme, saying he is clearly “hell-bent” on holding on to any remaining influence he has as Duke of York.
Katie said: “I hate to say this, but along with very poor judgment on Andrew’s part, he seems keen to hang on to the power he had as the Duke of York and as a royal player, whether that’s representing the family overseas or completely easily be there at Christmas.
“After the disastrous Newsnight interview he was allowed in at Christmas but he went to church with the late Queen before everyone else to avoid being the center of attention or making headlines for the wrong reason.
“The fact that his ex-wife, who he lives with at the Royal Lodge, which is also a point of contention because Charles wants him out of the Royal Lodge, will spend it quietly together is the right thing to do. But it shouldn’t take Sarah to have to flag for him.”
Unlike Andrew’s ex-wife, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson has had a barnstorming end to the year with the release of her latest children’s book as she continues to recover from cancer treatment earlier this year. After recovering from breast cancer, she said she had also received treatment for skin cancer.
Prince AndrewRepresentatives have been contacted for comment.
