Prince Edward was last seen not riding in Windsor Great Park since at least 4 months. This is a sign that Royal Family members are trying to distance themselves form Prince Andrew who rides there nearly every day.
Edward, who is a frequent fixture at the park where he rides several horses, is a constant presence.
He has not been seen since his brother in US facing sex abuse accusations is hotly debated was captured smiling for cameras.
A Palace source last night insisted that there was no feud, that relations were ‘fine’ between the Queen’s two younger sons and Edward has merely been ‘too busy’ to ride.
Prince Edward, Sophie and the Countess Of Wessex were invited to Forfar Golf Club.
Andrew arrived at Windsor this week and was then riding on Windsor Castle.
A sour Christmas card from the author hints at his grief over titles
The Wessexes’ Christmas card this year poignantly features a photograph of Edward and Sophie with Prince Philip and the caption: ‘In memory of happy days’
The Wessexes’ Christmas card this year poignantly features a photograph of Edward and Sophie with Prince Philip and the caption: ‘In memory of happy days.’
Another photo shows Edward, wearing a Kilt of Forfar tartan alongside his wife at the Forfar Golf Course in Scotland.
The 57-year-old received the title Earl of Forfar on his 55th birthday but was not granted, as expected, the titles Duke of Edinburgh and Ranger of Windsor Great Park after his father’s death in April.
Charles wants to decrease the number of titles that are extended to people not directly in line for the throne.
A source said: ‘Missing out on the titles have been a blow to Edward, who has worked so hard for the Royal Family.
‘He is far too gracious to say how hurt he is by it but suffice to say it is a disappointment.’
But an insider close to the Wessexes said that Edward had stopped riding in part because of ‘the Andrew problem’.
‘Edward doesn’t think it is wise to be seen anywhere near Andrew at the moment and he certainly has nothing he wants to say to him about the case,’ said the insider.
Edward’s daughter Lady Louise, 18, a talented horsewoman who inherited her grandfather Prince Philip’s custom-made carriage, has also largely stayed away. Instead of weekly lessons and regular rides with her father, a source said she had been seen ‘only very occasionally’.
A source at Windsor Great Park, close to the town’s castle, said: ‘Barely a weekend went by in the past few years when you didn’t see Edward and Lady Louise out riding, but not anymore. You ask around and Edward hasn’t been seen here for at least four months.’
Edward, 57, who lives in nearby Bagshot Park, keeps horses at the Windsor stables and had been expected to be given the title of Ranger of Windsor Great Park after his father’s death in April.
The position was held by Prince Philip for almost 70 years. Family members assumed that it would be passed to Edward. Last night, however, a Palace source said ‘a decision has not yet been made’.
The absence of the Earl of Wessex, who has long been considered a ‘bridge’ between his older brothers, presents a bigger problem for the Royal Family.
If the Royals’ Christmas does go ahead at Sandringham, the shadow of Andrew’s looming US court battle is likely to hang over the festivities. The Duke’s lawyers are expected to seek the dismissal of a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre during a hearing on January 4.
Andrew vigorously denied claims made by Ms Giuffre (38) that she was forced, on three occasions, to have sex in public with him under the direction of Jeffrey Epstein (US serial paedophile).
Covid-19 restrictions allow the Duke to visit Sandringham with his family. However, it is unlikely that he will join them there. He would rather discreetly attend an earlier service. This was his preferred option in 2019 after his ‘car crash’ Newsnight interview.
His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was barred by the Duke for indiscretions and it is believed he won’t be there. Speaking on an Italian daytime TV show to promote her latest book last week, she said she had not spent Christmas with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie for 26 years, but added: ‘I’m quite happy to give my children as gifts to Her Majesty. She deserves my children.
‘You know, I’m used to it. For 26 years, I’ve not spent Christmas with my children. If you leave the Royal Family, you can’t have it both ways.’