Prince Andrew will not attend the royal family's Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year, primarily due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his association with an alleged Chinese spy.

Despite King Charles previously supporting Andrew by inviting him to public events, increasing political and public pressure has complicated this support.

Andrew, who is 64, has largely withdrawn from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019, although he attended Christmas celebrations last year as a sign of potential rehabilitation within the family.

Concerns have been raised regarding Andrew's connections to Yang Tengbo, the alleged spy, who reportedly had knowledge of how to facilitate guests entering and exiting Andrew's residence.

MI5 suspects Yang could have acted as a 'gateway' agent for Chinese intelligence to infiltrate Andrew's network, particularly given his previous associations with Jeffrey Epstein.

Yang Tengbo, who has denied any involvement in espionage, claims he is a victim of the heightened political climate between the UK and China.

Andrew has publicly stated he ceased contact with Yang after being warned by security services and insists that no sensitive information was shared.

Andrew's association with Epstein has been a significant source of controversy, leading to his withdrawal from royal duties and public roles after a disastrous BBC interview in 2019.

An insider suggested that moving forward, the public might only see Andrew at major family events, such as weddings or funerals, due to the ongoing scrutiny.

There are speculations that Andrew may consider relocating to the UAE, where he could maintain a degree of respect due to his royal status, which could further concern the royal family.

This year's Christmas gathering is expected to be one of the largest in recent years, emphasizing family unity amidst past challenges.

The Sun newspaper has urged Andrew to 'uninvite himself' from royal gatherings, reflecting the media's critical stance on his continued involvement.