King Charles signals Duke and Duchess of York are 'no longer welcome' at family Christmas

King Charles has signalled the Duke and Duchess of York are no longer welcome at the Royal Family's Christmas. The decision comes as the pair's links to Jeffrey Epstein continue to cast a shadow over the Monarchy, reports The Times.

According to sources, the pair, who divorced in 1996 but have remained close, will be kept at arm's length following the latest revelation in the ongoing Epstein saga. It comes as the Duchess of York was dropped as a patron by the Teenage Cancer Trust and other charities following the disclosure of an email to the paedophile financier in which she described him as a "supreme friend". It is the second Christmas in a row that Prince Andrew has been embroiled in scandal causing him to be shunned by members of the Royal Family.

Last year, the King is understood to have enlisted the help of the Duchess of York in persuading the Duke to "do the decent thing" after it was revealed that he had developed a close relationship with the alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo.

A source close to Charles told the Times: "You can't sack someone from being your brother.

"But this year, if the duke and duchess were both to be as honourable [as last year], it would be very much for the best and the family would not be disappointed, not least to avoid the King having to make any more difficult decisions."

The move is said to have left the Duchess feeling "devastated for any embarrassment" she has caused the Royal Family by once more associating them with the disgraced paedophile.

Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein was the catalyst for his retreat from public life, culminating in the now infamous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019.

The Yorks spent last Christmas together at the Royal Lodge but it is not thought that they were joined by their daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

It is believed that the King has also indicated that he would like them to keep a low profile when entering family gatherings, a wish that could see them entering and leaving via discreet entrances out of site of the media.

Earlier this week, the Sun newspaper reported that the duchess "humbly apologised" to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, describing him as "steadfast" and "generous".

Her spokesman said it was sent "in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats".

The email stemmed from an interview with the Evening Standard on March 7, 2011, in which she apologised for accepting £15,000 from the sex offender.

During the interview, she told the newspaper: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say.

"Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."

A little over a month later, the duchess sent a message to Epstein, in which she said: "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me.

"And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that.

"You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family."

It continued: "I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you.

"And if I did - I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost.

"So please understand. I didn't want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry."

The duchess's spokesman previously said she had spoken of her regret about her association with Epstein and "does not resile" from condemning him publicly.

He added that Epstein had threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.