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PRINCE Andrew breaks his cover amid a Chines spy gate row.
The Duke of York was snapped this morning driving a Range Rover from Royal Lodge, in Windsor, after his friendship with the spy became public.
It comes after insiders claim he must “uninvite himself” from the Royal Family’s pre-Christmas bash over the controversial relationship.
Andrew is due to attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace this Thursday.
But a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
The Prince should do “the gentlemanly thing” and skip a festive family lunch this week to avoid fresh embarrassment over the scandal of his Chinese spy pal, insiders say.
Shamed Andy is also being urged to avoid being seen in public when the royals walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day.
His invite to Thursday’s meal at Buckingham Palace for more than 50 members of the extended Royal Family is now said to be untenable, with courtiers urging Andrew not to force King Charles’s hand in barring him.
It would also see him avoid a grilling from his brother in what would be their first face-to-face meeting since the scandal broke.
A source said yesterday: “There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.
“Andrew has managed the unthinkable and made a complete t*t of himself even before the Christmas party.
“It’s been a hell of a year for The Firm and the last thing they want is this scandal dragging on during a period of celebration.
“The thinking is he’s been foolish, but the more he keeps his head down the sooner everyone can move on.”
One source close to the King said Charles would be reluctant to ban his brother outright.
But he might have to rely on courtiers diplomatically “advising” him.
Another insider said: “Andrew is under pressure to step away.”
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