King Charles‘ brother, Prince Andrew, has reportedly refused to walk the late Queen’s corgis because he struggles with feelings of demoralization.
The Duke of York will skip Christmas with the king to avoid attention over his connection to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
Prince Andrew has since claimed that he severed ties with Yang Tengbo following government advice, denying sensitive discussions.
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Prince Andrew Refuses To Walk The Late Queen’s Corgis
It has been reported that due to his current situation, Andrew is feeling so disheartened that he has chosen not to walk Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis, which came into his possession after her passing.
Instead, the duke has delegated this responsibility to footmen, who accompany the corgis as well as the five dogs that he jointly owns with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, on walks around the Windsor Castle grounds.
According to an insider speaking to The Sun, “He is feeling so low and demotivated that he is unable to even muster the energy to take the dogs out for a walk. While he used to do this regularly, he now finds himself unable to do so.”
This news follows reports that Andrew will not attend Christmas festivities with King Charles amid controversy over his alleged ties to a Chinese spy.
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Sources suggest the duke voluntarily skipped the traditional gathering in Norfolk to avoid bringing further attention to the matter. The Duchess of York also agreed to skip the event.
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King Charles Did Not Stop Prince Andrew From Attending The Royal Christmas Celebrations
According to the Daily Mail, Charles did not forbid Andrew from attending the royal Christmas celebrations but hoped his brother would voluntarily step back, given the ongoing Chinese spy controversy.
It’s believed the King and Queen hoped Ferguson might help preserve the festive spirit, and it seems she has stepped in.
In an interview, the Duchess of York described herself as a “carer for a sad man,” expressing her affection for the king and gratitude for his continued kindness.
Meanwhile, Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have reportedly chosen to spend Christmas with their in-laws this year, marking a rare opportunity to do so after several years.
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Prince Andrew Claims He Cut Ties With The Alleged Chinese Spy Yang Tengbo
According to the BBC, earlier this month, Andrew stated that after receiving government advice, he cut ties with Yang Tengbo, a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy.
His office clarified that Tengbo was introduced through official channels, and “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.”
Reports also indicate Tengbo attended royal events at the duke’s invitation, including at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and St James’s Palace.
However, the timeline of their association remains undisclosed. In November 2021, police intercepted and questioned Tengbo at the UK border, invoking powers to probe potential “hostile activity” linked to a foreign state.
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During the encounter, Tengbo handed over several electronic devices, including a mobile phone. The contents of these devices reportedly raised significant alarm within MI5, prompting then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman to exercise exceptional powers.
Following a ruling by the National Security Court, Tengbo was banned from entering the UK.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper assured the public that the government “always stand ready to take action” on “any kind of challenge or threat to UK national security.”
The Alleged Chinese Spy Linked To Prince Andrew Denies Wrongdoing
Tengbo, the alleged Chinese spy who gained an unusual level of trust with Prince Andrew, denied any wrongdoing, insisting he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful.”
He rejected espionage claims, attributing the accusations to rising political tensions between the UK and China.
After the lifting of a court order protecting his identity, Yang issued a statement clarifying his position.
“Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity,” he asserted.
He added: “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful, and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.”
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Tengbo’s appeal against the ban in 2023 was dismissed, and judges were informed that he sought to exploit Prince Andrew’s connections.
King Charles Reportedly Has No Plans To Force His Younger Brother Out Of Royal Lodge
It’s been reported for some time that the king wants his brother out of Royal Lodge; however, the duke has seemingly refused to leave.
Rumors then began circulating that Charles would force his brother to vacate the space, but a source has since debunked the claims, noting that the monarch has no plans to evict disgraced Prince Andrew from his Royal Lodge.
Sources close to the royal family claim that such a move contradicts the king’s personality and that their “blood ties” would influence him not to take such action.
“The King is somebody with a high level of integrity,” the source told The Times. “There are people in the royal household who would take a more aggressive stance, but in that family, blood is thicker than water.”