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Disgraced Prince Andrew made a surprise appearance at Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas party for royal staff Monday evening, reports said.
The Duke of York, 59, was pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace to join his mother, the Queen, brother Prince Charles and other royals at the bash held for the around 400 staffers, the Sun reported.
The appearance came after Andrew was kicked out of his offices at the palace amid backlash from his train wreck of an interview about his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
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Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims she was sex-trafficked to the prince three times, starting in 2001 when she was 17. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations.
Andrew announced last month he was stepping away from his royal duties, reportedly after being canned by his mom, who apparently feared the scandal would mar the rest of the clan.
But a royal expert says his attendance at the soiree is proof that members of the royal family are rallying around the scandal-scarred Andrew.
“The fact that Andrew has turned up to this Christmas event at Buckingham Palace today shows that he is being supported by the rest of the royal family,” said Phil Dampier.
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“If he had not gone it would have looked terrible – like he was an outcast from his own relatives,” said Dampier. “The Queen in particular will have been anxious to show solidarity with her favorite son.”
The 93-year-old monarch hosts a party to thank her staff each year. Employees are treated to drinks and canapes at the palace during the approximately two-hour event attended by senior royals.
After the royals leave, the celebrations usually continue well into the night at local pubs, according to The Sun.
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Andrew left the soiree at around 7:30 p.m. in a dark green Bentley, the Daily Mail reported.
A Palace source told the outlet that since the party isn’t an official public event, it wasn’t unusual for Andrew to attend.
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