A Royal commentator suggests Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor delivered a four-word instruction to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie following his exclusion from Royal Family gatherings. The former prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson were notably absent from last month's Christmas festivities at Sandringham.
His daughters, however, were spotted making their way to St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on Christmas Day. Walking behind King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales, they attended the hour-long service.
Andrew, who lost his Royal patronages last year due to ongoing scrutiny surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reportedly spent Christmas by himself at Royal Lodge. He has consistently denied any misconduct and expressed regret over his connection to the disgraced financier.
He is expected to leave the property later this year, relocating to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate, which is currently being refurbished.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward now claims Andrew would have urged his daughters to join the celebrations with senior members of The Firm, suggesting the former Duke of York is keen to stay informed about discussions within Royal circles, reports Wales Online.
On The Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast, she stated: "Andrew said to them, 'You have to go'. He wants to keep a foot in, A. He wants to know what's going on and B. He wants to know what people are saying about him.
"He's always said, and Fergie has said, that the 'girls are my passport', and they're Andrew's only passport into the Royal Family now and I am absolutely sure that he persuaded them. They might have said, 'Oh pappa we want to be with you', and he'd say, 'No I want you to go there, that's what would make me happy'."
Royal expert Charlie Ray suggested: "Andrew wants to keep an eye on what's going on in the Royal Family, which is understandable. He's not invited so he's not at the table anymore so one of the first things that would have happened when they got back was Andrew would be on the phone."
Ray continued, expressing sympathy for Beatrice and Eugenie, noting: "If they're going to choose one or the other, it was the King all the way through.
"I feel desperately sorry for them that they find themselves at the centre of attention with the controversies of both their parents. I feel terrible for them but they have done the right thing to go to Sandringham with the King, but they've got to be careful."
Earlier this week, it emerged that Beatrice and Eugenie face a significant setback, with property specialist Elliot Castle from We Buy Any Home suggesting they're unlikely to inherit Royal Lodge. Andrew secured a 75-year lease on the 30-bedroom estate back in 2003.
However, Castle believes any prospect of his daughters inheriting the property has now been removed "entirely". "[This] would only have been possible while the lease remained in place," he explained.
"Once that lease is surrendered or terminated, there is nothing to pass on.
"From a property standpoint, that closes the door entirely. Royal Lodge would revert fully to the Crown Estate, with no residual claim for Andrew or his daughters."