Lorraine host 'feels sorry' for King Charles and family over Prince Andrew 'decision'

Ranvir Singh is filling in for Lorraine's usual host, ITV's Lorraine Kelly, who is currently enjoying a well-deserved festive break.

During Tuesday's episode (December 17), the former GMB political correspondent was engaged in a conversation with fashion guru Mark Heyes and journalist Bryony Gordon about their upcoming segments on the show, when the discussion unexpectedly shifted to Prince Andrew, who had reportedly chosen not to join the Royal Family at Sandringham this Christmas.

The presenter clarified that it is now anticipated that Prince Andrew will "honourably withdraw" from Royal Family gatherings at Christmas to prevent causing any distractions. This comes after Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) allegedly advised the Duke of York to do the "gentlemanly thing".

It is believed that Prince Andrew will instead spend Christmas Day at his home in Windsor following alleged links to a Chinese spy, who has now been identified in a High Court judgement. Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, had been prohibited from entering the UK.

In a statement released on Monday, the Chinese businessman refuted claims of being a spy and asserted he had "done nothing wrong or unlawful", reports the Mirror.

During the live discussion, Ranvir appeared puzzled as to why Prince Andrew was having trouble contemplating stepping back from family festive events and suggested that Fergie may have been the driving force behind his decision.

In the same segment on the ITV show, the host revealed: "The newspapers are reporting that Prince Andrew will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas in Sandringham after his alleged links to this Chinese Spy were revealed."

She continued: "The story in the news is obviously one thing, but this idea of being slightly ex-communicated from your family on the big day is actually not that uncommon."

Bryony humorously remarked: "It's probably the most relatable thing about Prince Andrew and there isn't much. But the idea that apparently he's excused himself."

Ranvir then interjected to clarify: "But apparently Sarah Ferguson has given him..." However, she was cut off before finishing as Bryony quickly added: "Yes apparently she is his go-between and obviously Princess Beatrix and Eugene were doing some hard work by choosing to spend Christmas with their in-laws, which kind of makes the decision easier."

Quoting a newspaper from today, the presenter noted: "Some are saying this morning that Sarah Ferguson is understood to have made Andrew, 64, do the 'gentlemanly thing' and to not embarrass the King at the Christmas morning gathering."

Discussing her own personal challenges and tough decision-making within her family, Ranvir candidly expressed: "I have done that thing where in my family, I've just gone, 'Right, there's a bit of crisis' and I've just gone, 'That person is going to make life difficult - do I really want to be there? Do you know what, I'll just duck out.'"

She added: "I feel sorry for the hosts often in these situations. It's like a wedding or any big gathering where there's a bit of family dysfunction and you just think, 'Do I really have to make a statement by being there?'"

Reflecting upon Prince Andrew's dilemma, she questioned: "I suppose that's the question. Does Andrew want to make a statement by being there? Thinking 'I deserve to be there' and throwing his toys out of the pram and has somebody just gone 'it's just better if you just take yourself out of the situation and be nice to the hosts and make it easy on them'," as she recounted: "And I have done that before."

Bryony chimed in with a humorous comment: "It's an unusual example of Prince Andrew doing the right thing. I think also it's the best advice for Christmas."

Elsewhere, Ranvir said that according to the news sources, Prince Andrew is not planning to withdraw completely from Royal Christmas events this year.

She said during the broadcast that the paper claimed how 'defiant Andrew still intends to rub shoulders with Charles and William at a pre-Christmas gathering at Buckingham Palace this Thursday' with expectations that photographs would circulate "around the world".

Bryony replied: "That's interesting isn't it."

Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1, from 9am.