Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will not join the Royal Family for their traditional Christmas celebrations this year, following renewed scrutiny over Andrew's ties to an alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo.
The Duke of York reportedly declined to attend the gathering, though it remains unclear if the decision is directly linked to his controversial relationship with Yang.
Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, was banned from the UK last week by the MI5 over security concerns. Yang’s identity had been protected under an anonymity order known as ‘H6’ until he publicly denied the allegations.
In a statement, Prince Andrew confirmed he had “ceased all contact” with Yang after receiving official advice. He insisted he never discussed matters of a “sensitive nature” with him. Yang, meanwhile, has denied the accusations, stating, “I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK” and describing reports branding him as a spy as “entirely untrue.”
The controversy intensified after revelations that Yang had penetrated influential circles within British society. Over the past 15 years, he reportedly met figures such as former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, attended Prince Andrew’s birthday party in 2020, and was invited to Buckingham Palace events.
Officials had previously flagged Yang's ability to build relationships with high-profile individuals, which could be “leveraged for political interference purposes.” His ban from the UK in 2023 by then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman came after concerning information was discovered on his phone.
Amid mounting pressure, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed the exposure of Yang’s identity, tweeting, “The public deserve to know.”
Despite Andrew’s efforts to distance himself from the controversy, the timing of his decision to skip Christmas celebrations has reignited public scrutiny over his relationships and actions. The Royal Family will proceed with their traditions while Andrew and Sarah Ferguson remain notably absent.
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