The royal family gathered at Buckingham Palace for King Charles’s annual Christmas lunch. But, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was pictured riding his horse in the pouring rain. 

The contrast was hard to overlook for any onlooker. The senior royals looked happy at the festive gathering, but the disgraced former prince looked miserable. He was caught in a downpour while riding around Windsor Park.

In stark contrast, his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, smiled as they arrived together on December 16, 2025. Recently, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it will “take no further action” over claims he asked his police protection officer to uncover dirt on his victim, Virginia Giuffre. 

Andrew was formally stripped of his titles due to the many scandals surrounding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He was stripped of his last remaining military title on December 15, 2025. The 65-year-old will no longer be allowed to call himself a Vice-Admiral. He was demoted to the rank of Commander after a meeting of the Defense Council. 

According to an expert who spoke to The Mirror, the shamed Andrew sent a telling message during his lonely horse ride in Windsor. Body language expert Judi James theorized, “If you want to make people close to you feel any trace of guilt about going to a bash you are not, you might normally wave them off cheerily while cuddling up in front of a TV movie with Deliveroo on speed dial.” 

James felt Andrew went full-on “Marley’s ghost” at the gathering. She pointed out “the rain dripping off the peak of his riding hat running obligingly in front of his face like a mini-Niagara.” She added how his features showed “no sign of riding pleasure or exhilaration.” 

James noticed how he just sat in the saddle “looking solemn and gloomy.” It was a complete contrast to “the Firm’s selection of beaming, glowing, and shiny-with-Xmas-excitement faces.”

While Andrew was photographed riding alone in the rain, his daughters did something far more consequential. They stepped back into the royal fold. The King’s Christmas lunch is not a regular family meal but a curated affair for a select guest list. It prompts those who remain within the perimeter of royal acceptability.

Andrew’s banishment from that perimeter is now clear. Yet his daughters’ inclusion sends the opposite message. Whatever their private feelings, the monarchy will not allow guilt by association. 

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice recently declined Kate Middleton’s invitation. They were invited to the latter’s annual Christmas carol service. They were trying to keep a low profile amid Andrew’s scandal. Royal commentator Neil Sean clarified the situation to Fox News in November. Middleton reportedly extended personal invitations to present a united family front. 

Royal commentator Laura Windsor told GB News that the sisters should not be held responsible for their father’s actions. She said, “Well, they’re just the offspring, aren’t they? They have really nothing to do with what their father has allegedly done.”

Despite no confirmed move-in date, Andrew is set to move to Sandringham from his current house at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Home Park estate. According to insiders speaking to The Sun, Andrew is expected to move into Marsh Farm.

 
 
 
 
 
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The empty, former working farm is located seven miles west of King Charles III’s Sandringham House. While in view of Dersingham Bog and surrounded by scenic countryside, the property is described as far from move-in-ready.

As per the source, the farm “needs an awful lot of work” before it could reasonably be occupied. Marsh Farm itself includes a main house with several outbuildings, a kitchen, and two reception rooms. All are reportedly in need of large-scale refurbishment. 

The surrounding space has recently been included in an expanded no-fly zone. The estate also has small local businesses nearby, including a quad bike company and an ironworks. The Sun has also reported that some of Andrew’s belongings have already been moved to storage.