For the British Royal Family, the year of 2024 was—to borrow the expression from the late Queen Elisabeth—an ‘Annus Horribilis’, a horrible year in which the non-stop infighting and multiple serious illnesses took the Windsors to the brink.
Prodigal son Harry is at war with the whole family, mostly with his heir brother William and the ‘new’ Queen Camilla.
And King Charles himself spent hours on end bickering with his disgraced brother Prince Andrew over his residence at the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge.
But, as the year draws to a close, Charles appears touched by the Christmas spirit, and has reportedly made a rapprochement move towards Andrew, a development that may facilitate an easier 2025 for the family.
New York Post reported:
“The monarch, 76, has reportedly extended an olive branch to his scandal-scarred younger brother, Prince Andrew, by inviting him to his big Christmas get-together next month.
The king’s decision to invite the disgraced Duke of York may come as a surprise to some, given the bitter feud the pair have been locked in over the Royal Lodge — the property Andrew currently resides in.”
Other royal family members slated to attend the event include the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children.
“Sources [tell] that Charles has made a clear commitment to keeping the family united, especially after the difficult year the royals have faced following a slew of health woes.”
But the peace offerings are not extensive to Harry and Meghan. After all the mudslinging they unleashed on the Royals, it’s natural that they were snubbed from the event.
“As for Andrew’s ongoing feud with his brother, which kickstarted years ago after the duke was linked to disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, the duo have been at odds even more so in the last year.”
Charles tried frantically to evict Andrew from the regal Royal Lodge mansion and into a smaller property – but Andrew has an iron-cast lease and wouldn’t accept it.
“Andrew, 64, was finally poised to leave the Royal Lodge last month after Charles refused to continue financially carrying his brother’s weight. However, it sensationally emerged that Andrew had found a mystery financial backer at the eleventh hour — allowing him and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, to remain at the royal digs.”
It appears now that the quarreling brothers will make peace during the festive season.
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