Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spends Christmas 140 miles away from daughters Beatrice and Eugenie

Andrew, who is expected to leave the property early next year, found himself isolated from the wider family gathering, which took place approximately 140 miles away at the monarch's Norfolk estate of Sandringham.

For the second consecutive Christmas, the 65-year-old has been left off the guest list for the Firm's traditional festivities.

The ongoing controversy surrounding his connections to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which has also affected his former wife Sarah Ferguson, continues to keep him at a distance from royal events.

His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were among the royals who participated in the customary Christmas morning procession to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Beatrice was accompanied by her spouse Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie walked alongside her husband Jack Brooksbank.

King Charles has reportedly made it known that he continues to hold both of his nieces in high esteem.

More than 500 members of the public braved near-freezing temperatures to witness the royal procession, wrapped in blankets and heavy coats.

The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the gathering at the King's private estate with their three children: Prince George, aged 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.

The youngest Cambridge child lived up to his reputation for playfulness when he snatched a large Lindt chocolate gift from his father upon learning it was intended for him.

"I thought that might happen," Prince William remarked with a laugh, expressing gratitude for the "kind" present.

Princess Charlotte shared a touching moment with Gemma Clark, 45, who was seated in a wheelchair among the crowd.

"Charlotte was amazing. I said Merry Christmas and she said thank you and gave me a big hug," Ms Clark recalled.

Wellwishers who gathered at Sandringham voiced their approval of the princesses' inclusion in the festivities.

Hilary Marsh, 73, from Burwell, Cambridgeshire, said: "Beatrice and Eugenie are marvellous girls. They've done nothing wrong and it must be quite hard for them with everything that's going on."

Joan Beale, 67, from Cambridge, felt the royals had handled the situation regarding the King's younger brother "with some dignity".

James Taylor, 41, who travelled from Nottinghamshire, believed the stripping of Andrew's titles demonstrated the family was treating the matter seriously, adding: "I'm sure it's the right thing he's not here to take the focus away from the King and Queen."

Meanwhile, King Charles delivered his fourth Christmas speech since ascending to the throne in 2022.

In his annual broadcast, which aired at 3pm, the King reflected on a recent State Visit to the Vatican with Queen Camilla and spoke of shared values across religions at a time of global division.

“A few weeks ago, The Queen and I were delighted to make a State Visit to the Vatican, where we prayed with Pope Leo in a historic moment of spiritual unity,” the King said.

“As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common; a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life.”

The monarch said the visit had focused on the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, and used the idea of pilgrimage as a central thread of his message.

He described pilgrimage as journeying forward into the future while also looking back to learn from the past.

King Charles linked this theme to commemorations held earlier this year marking the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, noting that memories of World War Two are fading as generations pass.

“The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass,” he added.