Prince Andrew will not attend the royal pre-Christmas lunch

The Duke of York will not attend the royal family’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, according to royal sources.

He had already done it Withdrew from attending the Sandringham Christmas meeting in Norfolk.

This comes after it emerged that Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo, who had links to the prince, was refused entry to the UK over concerns about national security risks.

Prince Andrew said he had cut off contact with Mr Yang.

Royal sources suggested that the prince felt he needed to stay away from the luncheon at Buckingham Palace and that his ex-wife, the Duchess of York, had advised him on the decision.

It is understood the King welcomed the Duchess’s help as he realized it was neither the right time nor the right place to attend.

It also suggests that the Duchess continues to be an important influence on Prince Andrew, who no longer receives financial support from the King.

The prince had previously agreed not to attend the traditional festive royal gathering at Sandringham, meaning he will not appear in photos of the royal family heading to church on Christmas morning.

It followed suggestions he had been advised to keep a low profile during Christmas events rather than allowing his public appearance to overshadow the occasion.

It now appears that he has pulled out of any royal family Christmas celebrations this year and is expected to spend the festive season with the Duchess at her Royal Lodge home in Windsor.

Thursday’s lunch is a private occasion but it is likely that photographers were waiting to snap a photo of those in attendance and after some uncertainty it has now emerged that Prince Andrew will not be attending the annual event for the extended family .

The prince’s latest controversy follows a court hearing allegedly attended by a Chinese business contact, Yang Tengbo Maintaining links with senior figures in the UKin a way that could be used to gain political influence.

Court documents showed Mr Yang had documents describing Prince Andrew as being in a “desperate situation” and would resort to anything.

Mr. Yang has denied claims he was spying or had done something unlawful, saying such allegations were “completely untrue.” He had tried to challenge the decision to ban him from the UK, but a court had upheld the ban.

Prince Andrew’s office said in a statement that nothing sensitive was ever discussed in dealings with the Chinese business contact.

But the trial had raised broader political questions about China’s attempts to gain influence. It had also raised renewed questions about the prince’s finances, his handling of international contacts and his judgment.

Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal and Buckingham Palace has not commented on the matter.