EXCLUSIVE: The security implications of Prince Andrew's 10-year relationship with a suspect spy has caused alarm for one royal expert.

Prince Andrew will not be joining his brother King Charles III and other members of the royal family for Christmas this year. Instead, the Duke of York, 64, will “honourably withdraw” from the royal family’s Christmas celebrations at their estate in Sandringham, England to avoid being a distraction, according to the BBC.

King Charles in his Christmas speech chose not to mention Prince Harry, Meghan, or Prince Andrew. Royal expert Dr. Tessa Dunlop interpreted this omission as a clear sign that the King is prioritizing unity and strength within the royal family,

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has been linked to questionable characters, including the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The monarch has had enough of the ‘drama and embarrassment’ that comes with his younger brother, Prince Andrew. Read more on heatworld.

PEOPLE understands that the Duke of York, 64, reached the decision after discussing the matter with his ex-wife, the Duchess of York, who convinced him that this was the right move. The same is true of Prince Andrew's decision to skip the royal family's Christmas gathering at Sandringham next week on Dec. 25.

Ever since Queen Elizabeth II has passed, Prince Andrew has become King Charles III’s problem. The monarch’s younger brother has been one headache after another, but his latest scandal might impact Charles’ legacy if the royal family doesn’t address the situation swiftly.

King Charles has notably excluded Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew from his Christmas Day speech, breaking with royal tradition by delivering his message from London's former Middlesex Hospital.

Express Royal Reporter Pandora Forsyth joined Sky News Senior Reporter Caroline Marcus to discuss why Prince Andrew was absent from the Royal Family's Christmas walk this year.

King Charles III probably entered 2024 thinking that his feud with Prince Harry was going to be his biggest headline, but Prince Andrew decided to have a hold-my-beer moment instead. The Duke of York’s latest scandal, involving his friendship with a Chinese national who is allegedly a spy, really tops off a terrible year for the royal family .