Andrew's delays unexpectedly give King Charles a surprise advantage

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor may have just delivered King Charles an unexpected dose of Christmas cheer, though not exactly on purpose.

The disgraced royal has reportedly been dragging his feet over vacating Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

After Charles stripped him of his 'prince' title in October and ordered him out of the home, Andrew triggered a mandatory 12-month notice period, meaning he could legally remain until late 2026.

According to The Times, the 65-year-old is "unlikely to be in a hurry" to leave, even as palace aides continue insisting they expect him out by early 2026.

But strangely enough, the delay might actually work in Charles’s favour.

Royal correspondent Kate Mansey writes: "As Andrew drags his feet leaving Royal Lodge, it means he won't have moved into Sandringham in time for the family Christmas celebrations there.”

“This is being seen by sources close to Charles as rather 'fortuitous', given that Andrew isn't invited to the festivities."

Mansey adds that once Andrew eventually relocates to Sandringham, Charles may even revive a historic tradition: "When Andrew does finally move into Sandringham next year, Charles might be minded to follow the tradition of his predecessor, Queen Victoria, and host the royal Christmas festivities at Windsor instead."

The development comes just as King Charles hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle. A-list guests included Claudia Schiffer, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

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