Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appeared solitary as he was seen driving away from Royal Lodge by himself, while his family gathered over 100 miles away at Sandringham for Christmas celebrations.

The former Duke of York, now mired in controversy, seemed somber as he exited the gates of his royal home, which he is reportedly expected to leave in the near future.

The exclusion from Sandringham festivities for Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is attributed to the ongoing scandal involving their association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Despite the couple’s fall from grace, their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, participated in the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. There had been speculation about whether the York sisters would take up King Charles’s invitation.

Princess Eugenie, 35, was seen smiling as she accompanied King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, into St Mary Magdalene Church this morning.

Princess Beatrice was joined by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, suggesting that King Charles intends to convey that the sisters are not to be judged by their parents’ associations.

Eugenie was accompanied by her husband Jack Brooksbank, Princess Anne, and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence as she appeared supported by The Firm through what has been a challenging year for the family. 

It comes after Beatrice and Eugenie both attended King Charles’s pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace this month. 

Experts said their attendance shows they are being ‘insulated’ by the King from their disgraced father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. 

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was seen driving out of Royal Lodge alone while the rest of his family celebrated Christmas at Sandringham

The disgraced former Duke of York looked downcast as he left the gates of his royal residence, which is expected to vacate in the coming weeks

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were not invited to Sandringham amid the continuing scandal surrounding their friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

The former Duke of York is spending his final Christmas at the royal residence

Charlie Proctor, editor of the Royal Central website, wrote: ‘For several years now, Beatrice and Eugenie have existed in a kind of constitutional limbo: not working royals, yet not quite private citizens either; loyal daughters, but daughters of a man whose name has become shorthand for reputational damage.

‘Every public appearance has therefore carried an unspoken question – are they being unintentionally punished for Andrew’s public controversy, or carefully insulated from it? This week’s answer was clear. They are to be insulated.

‘The King’s Christmas lunch is not a casual family meal but a curated guest list, one that signals who remains within the perimeter of royal acceptability.’

He added that Andrew’s exclusion is ‘now total and unambiguous’, but his daughters’ inclusion ‘sends the opposite signal: whatever their private feelings, the monarchy will not permit guilt by association’.

Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, former editor of The International Who’s Who, told the Daily Mail: ‘All royal events are carefully choreographed and King Charles’s annual pre-Christmas lunch, which reverted to Buckingham Palace, featured photographs of a smiling Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie dominating the coverage in the press.

‘There are echoes of Queen Charlotte in Alan Bennett’s play The Madnesses of King George when she says to the King “Smile. That’s what they want. Smile”.

‘The image is contrasted with their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor out riding in the pouring rain, a portrait of humiliation both real and symbolic.’

Fans were delighted to see the King’s nieces, Beatrice and Eugenie, alongside Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Princess Beatrice was accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as King Charles appeared to send the message that she and sister Eugenie are not ‘guilty by association’

Royal fans were delighted to see the King’s niece amid rumours she and her sister would celebrate Christmas elsewhere this year

Eugenie, 35, was all smiles as she followed King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, into St Mary Magdalene Church this morning

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal Family for a church service at St Mary Magdalene on the Norfolk estate this morning

Princess Eugenie (behind Princess Anne) made a surprise appearance along with her sister Princess Beatrice (not pictured)

The appearance of Eugenie and Beatrice came after they were both absent from Kate’s carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 5.

Royal sources claimed at the time that the sisters were touched by an invite that was extended to them, but were both unable to join because of previous commitments.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: ‘They pleaded commitments but it was obvious that they did not want to be a distraction from the event.’ 

It is the second year running that Andrew and his ex-wife have not attended. Last year, they pulled out of the celebrations just 10 days before Christmas after Andrew’s links to alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo, came to light.