Fergie's brave gesture at royal Christmas service with 'lone wolf' Andrew

25 December 2023 , 13:24

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Fergie's brave gesture at royal Christmas service with 'lone wolf' Andrew

Sarah Ferguson performed a brave gesture as she joined Prince Andrew and the rest of the royals at her first Christmas church service in over 30 years, according to an expert.

The Duchess of York appeared in public at Sandringham for the first time in years, walking beside her ex-husband and smiling broadly at the press before collecting flowers and gifts from wellwishers after - and even having to be dragged away by eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.

Meanwhile, it is the second year in succession the disgraced Duke of York walked from Sandringham to church with the family. Andrew's alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will come under further scrutiny in the new year with the release of hundreds of files from a defamation case, after a ruling by a US judge.

Prince Andrew and Fergie walk to church on Christmas Day (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

And according to body language expert Judi James, Fergie appeared "keen and excited" on her return to the royal fold. She told the Mirror: "Another royal looking keen and excited was Fergie. Her re-appearance began with some slightly tentative sidling up into a line with Anne, face-checking her ex-sister-in-law but then seeming to beam with delight when she got a positive response.

"Fergie and Anne started chatting, with some animated gestures and facial expressions from Fergie who even seemed to seal her newly-re-acquired position back in the royal fold by bravely power-patting Anne on the back and following it up with a similar pat on Tim’s back, too."

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Fergie was keen to chat to the crowds (PA)

It was the first time in many years she had attended the church service (PA)

And when it came to Andrew, Judi believed he too was keen to be seen. She explained: "Andrew still took a more 'lone wolf' position at the side of the pack but glancing at his ex-wife’s ingratiation techniques seemed to bring him in a little closer. He scowled as he watched but he then appeared to dip into the group himself, only at a higher level, closer to his younger brother and wife Sophie.

"His positioning and his habit of looking back at the group and therefore towards the cameras, made it look as though he had no desire or intention of hiding away this year."

Andrew’s daughters were with their husbands, Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank. Royal Christmases traditionally feature the greeting of people outside the church, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings. Sandringham House has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs for more than 160 years and now belongs to the King.

King Charles' second Christmas message as monarch will be broadcast at 3pm, and this year it was recorded in the Centre Room in Buckingham Palace which leads on to the royal residence’s iconic balcony. The room is decorated with a living Christmas tree which will be replanted after the broadcast.

Jennifer Newton