Prince Andrew could be banished from the Royal Family’s public festive duties as the “Chinese spy” crisis intensifies.
The duke, 64, had been expected to join the rest of the family walking to church on Christmas morning, just as he has done for the last two years since the Queen’s death.
But Andrew’s appearance alongside other royals is now in doubt.
The King is said to be “truly exasperated” by his brother’s latest scandal. Royal expert Jennie Bond said: “It’s hard to imagine the duke will have the gall to parade himself before the loyal crowds at Christmas.
“For the sake of the monarchy, he should spend it away from Sandringham, out of the public eye.
“The monarch’s brother has become a recurring embarrassment to the Royal Family and now he’s involved in a possible threat to national security.”
His link to the alleged spy emerged after the Chinese businessman lost an appeal against a ruling to ban him from Britain on security grounds following an MI5 probe. Immigration judges ruled he had won an “unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family”.
It has since emerged the 50-year-old – who denies any wrongdoing – twice entered Buckingham Palace at Andrew’s invitation.
He attended functions at St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle and was a guest at the Duke of York’s 60th birthday bash at Royal Lodge.
It was disclosed he even knew how to sneak people in and out of Andrew’s home.