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PRINCE Edward and wife Sophie were “unhappy” at plans for them to share a cottage with Prince Andrew at Christmas.
The couple were said to be “less than pleased” when informed they would be bunking up with the disgraced Duke of York at Sandringham.
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Yet their fears evaporated when Andrew sent back his invitation amid pressure to stay out of sight over the China “spy” scandal.
He is instead expected to spend the festive period in Windsor with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has described herself as a “carer” looking after a “sad man”.
An insider said Edward and Sophie were disappointed last year when “effectively given the servants’ quarters” in Norfolk for the festive royal get-together.
The Edinburghs felt this year’s choice of Wood Farm — Prince Philip’s former hideout — was a “step up” but were unhappy at the thought of Christmas “cheek by jowl with the Yorks”.
The pair were “relieved”, the insider said, when Fergie “encouraged and cajoled” Andrew to stay away.
It had been suggested his decision was made easier as daughters Beatrice and Eugenie were due to spend Christmas with their in-laws and not at Sandringham.
However, Beatrice will now go to Norfolk with husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and their daughter Sienna, two.
She is pregnant and they were advised it was safer not to fly abroad to see his family, it is understood.
Andrew also pulled out of a pre-Christmas lunch for royals at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
He has faced mounting pressure after his links to Chinese “spy” Yang Tengbo emerged.
The Royal Household is investigating claims he took Tengbo to Buckingham Palace and Windsor.
Royal officials declined to comment.
