In a striking move, King Charles has reportedly decided to exclude Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson from the royal family's Christmas celebrations this year, marking another chapter in their ongoing estrangement from "The Firm," as the New York Post reports.

This decision continues the pattern of distancing the Duke and Duchess of York from major family events amid persistent controversies surrounding Andrew.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, have long been considered outcasts within the royal family, largely due to Andrew's involvement in multiple scandals over the years.

Continued isolation amid scandal fallout

Despite their divorce in 1996, the pair still live together at Royal Lodge, a residence on the Windsor estate.

However, their shared home has not shielded them from being sidelined by the monarchy, especially in light of recent issues, including a reported Chinese spy scandal linked to Andrew.

According to a report by the Times of London, King Charles, now 76, has made it clear that neither Andrew nor Ferguson will be invited to join the family for the festive season.

Royal Family prioritizing discretion

This exclusion mirrors last year's decision, when the Yorks were also barred from Christmas celebrations due to the same espionage controversy.

On Christmas Day last year, Andrew and Ferguson remained at Royal Lodge, notably without their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who did not join them.

The monarch's stance, according to sources, is to keep the duo at a distance from significant royal gatherings to safeguard the reputation of the royal family.

King's wish for pair's invisibility

An insider revealed to The Times of London that Charles would like the pair to stay "invisible" at future family occasions.

"You can't sack someone from being your brother," the source noted, highlighting the delicate balance of familial ties and public image.

"But this year, if the duke and duchess were both to be as honorable [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 source added.

Public appearances draw mixed reactions

Earlier this month, Andrew and Ferguson attended the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral, an event also attended by senior royals.

During the service, Andrew was observed smiling and engaging with attendees, a behavior that contrasts with the King's reported desire for discretion.

A source told the Times of London, "The King is not of the mind to banish someone worshipping at church or attending family occasions like a funeral, but he would hope they would find a more discreet way of attending these events."