Prince Andrew faces ban from Christmas Day church service amid fears of sex abuse protesters

Prince Andrew could be banned from attending church with the Queen on Christmas Day over fears it could “embarrass” the royal family.

Royal courtiers are discussing banning Prince Andrew from attending church with the Queen at Sandringham on Christmas Day over protest fears.

Sex abuse campaigners are planning to infiltrate the monarchist crowds, according to The Sun, which could cause mortifying scenes captured by news cameras from around the world.

The Duke’s close friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has plunged the royal family into its biggest crisis in two decades.

A royal source revealed: “There are discussions about Christmas Day and a desire from many courtiers for Prince Andrew to stay away from the church, where he would be pictured with the rest of the family.

“There are now genuine concerns over sex abuse campaigners planning to be part of the crowds to jeer the Duke publicly.

“They know the world’s media would be there and it would end up dominating headlines of the day.

Prince Andrew attended the Sandringham church service with other members of the royal family last Christmas. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

‘QUEEN IS DEEPLY UPSET’

“There is no real fear from officials about the protest turning violent. It’s more about the further embarrassment it would cause to the royal family,” the source said.

But advisers fear the Duke of York will insist upon attending in his private role as a member of the royal family.

The source added: “The Queen is already deeply upset about this situation because she loves her son very much.

“It is hard to believe she would ever be able to bring herself to tell Andrew not to come, given they attend church together all the time.

“But there is a hope that he realises just how much worse the situation could become if he is the subject to a public protest on Christmas Day so decides to stay away himself.”

Prince Charles summoned his brother to Sandringham for a tense conversation. Picture: David Bebber/Pool/AFP

The Sun revealed yesterday how Prince Andrew secretly travelled to Sandringham for a major family summit with Prince Philip and Prince Charles – just hours before the BBC’s Panorama interview with his accuser Virginia Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, piled more pressure on.

Prince Charles is believed to have “read the riot act” to his brother and demanded he give up all duties for “the foreseeable future”.

An emotional Virginia Giuffre revealed more details of her encounter with Andrew. Picture: BBC Panorama via AP

Ms Giuffre, 35, claims she was among girls forced to operate as sex slaves for Epstein and his friends by British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.

She claims Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 — allegations he denies.

Andrew and Giuffre on the night she claims they had sex. Picture: Backgrid Australia

But the increasing scrutiny Prince Andrew is facing led to him being summoned to Sandringham to meet Charles and their dad Prince Philip over a light lunch.

‘HE HAD LITTLE CHOICE’

A royal source said: “It was all very civilised and calm but Charles calmly read him the riot act and told him there was no way back for him in the near future.

“Andrew thought he was being treated harshly as nothing has yet been proved against him, but he accepted the decision. He really had little choice.”

It is believed Andrew then left and did not stay to watch Monday night’s Panorama, while Prince Charles returned to London for a NATO reception at Buckingham Palace.

The Prince of Wales is said to be deeply worried about the impact the scandal is having on the ­monarchy, unless Prince Andrew goes to the US to clear his name.

But a royal source said: “By doing that, Andrew would remove the mystery around the royal ­family. It’s a difficult predicament.

“Philip regrets Andrew doesn’t know how to lead a simple life. He thinks he’s been too extravagant.”

Prince Charles and the Queen with Prince Andrew and other family members in June. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

FRESH CLAIMS

It comes after it emerged a British woman will tell the FBI and Scotland Yard she saw Prince Andrew dancing with Ms Giuffre at Tramp nightclub — hours before the royal allegedly had sex with the teenager.

The Duke of York, 59, has denied he was with Ms ­Giuffre at the club — insisting to Newsnight he was at Pizza Express in Woking instead.

But now a key witness — spurred to come forward after watching Andrew’s car-crash BBC interview — claims she saw the pair “feet away” from her on the dancefloor.

The Duke of York’s scandal is showing no signs of abating. Picture: Swen Pförtner/DPA/AFP

Following the explosive development, lawyers warned that prosecutors could look to treat the Prince as a suspect, not just a ­witness to any crimes.

US lawyer Lisa Bloom said that following Andrew’s TV interview a woman from London, who does not want to be named, approached her “in the last few days”.

ROYAL SCANDAL

Ms Bloom, who represents several victims of Andrew’s paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein, said: “The woman remembers it vividly. She had never seen a royal before or since. It was a very big moment for her — she stared at him.

“She says he was with Virginia — who looked very young and not happy — but Andrew was smiling and seemed to be very much enjoying himself on the dancefloor.

“She is very afraid but thinks speaking out is very important.”

Lisa Bloom, the lawyer for victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: ITV

The explosive Panorama interview revealed five ­victims of paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein allege the Prince witnessed people being given massages at the sex offender’s homes.

David Boies, the lawyer for the women, plans to serve subpoenas to force the Prince to testify.

And Josh Schiller, a lawyer ­representing Ms Giuffre, has warned that Andrew would be the target of an FBI investigation and not just a witness “because he is accused of participating in a sex trafficking ring”.

Monday’s documentary has added to intense pressure the Duke of York is facing following his friendship with Epstein, who killed himself in jail in August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

A royal spokesman has said: “It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts.

“Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”

This story originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.