Beatrice Finally Decides Where She’ll Spend Christmas — And It's Not Who You'd Expect
Choosing either option came with its own consequences. And therefore, taking the safe bet, she decided neither.
For years, Christmas at Sandringham has been sold as a fixed point in the royal calendar, but this time it seems to be slightly different. According to reports, Princess Beatrice will not be spending Christmas with her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, or with the royal family at King Charles's Norfolk property; instead, she will be skiing abroad with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and close friends. Even though it might look like a simple holiday plan on paper, in reality, it is probably plagued by scandal, loyalty, and the growing discomfort around her father’s continued presence on the royal margins.
Beatrice, now 37, was reportedly faced with an uncomfortable dilemma. She had been invited to join the wider family Christmas hosted by the King at Sandringham, while also feeling the pull of spending the holidays with her parents at Royal Lodge. Choosing either option came with its own consequences. And therefore, taking the safe bet, she decided neither. The decision, reported by The Sun, is said to be driven by a desire to escape renewed scrutiny surrounding their father's links to Jeffrey Epstein, which have once again returned to public conversation after the US government released fresh documents.
Those close to the family suggest the atmosphere around Mountbatten Windsor this year is especially bleak. One insider described him as “very much like the Grinch,” noting that festive cheer is in short supply as the fallout from his past continues to deepen. Even the physical surroundings reflect that mood. Royal Lodge, usually dressed up for the season, is said to be conspicuously bare, no wreaths on the gates, no Christmas tree visible from the roofline. Two wreaths that adorned the gates of his home last Christmas are noticeably absent this year. Sources also say the Christmas tree that typically greeted guests from the roof has not been installed. According to a friend, the decision was made deliberately, with care taken to ensure it did not appear as though anyone was being snubbed.
Beatrice has reportedly confided to friends that she felt 'tormented' by the pull between spending Christmas with the wider royal family at Sandringham or standing by her exiled parents at Royal Lodge. As one friend put it, “She didn’t want to cause embarrassment and found herself torn between her loyalty to the King and her loyalty to her parents.”
“That’s why she and Eugenie attended the pre-Christmas family lunch at Buckingham Palace,” the source said. “She’s grateful for the support the King and William have shown her through everything that’s unfolded with Andrew and Sarah. At the same time, she was keen not to give the impression of snubbing anyone, which made slipping away with friends the simplest option.”
This Christmas is also expected to be the last Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson spend at Royal Lodge, adding another layer of finality to the season. Beatrice’s younger sister, Princess Eugenie, has not yet made her plans public. Sources say she remains undecided, though she is likely to spend the holidays with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
