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.

King Charles made the current status of his relationship with Prince Harry painfully clear this Christmas, a royal expert has said. Reflecting on the annual 3pm speech that the monarch gave on Wednesday (25 Dec), commentator and author Tessa Dunlop believes tensions are still high between the father-son duo.

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.

King Charles is reportedly furious over the Chinese spy scandal involving his brother Prince Andrew, according to multiple reports. A friend of the palace told The Daily Beast that the royal's patience is “wearing thin" tied to allegations that the Duke of York, 64, had close business dealings with a Chinese national, who is alleged to be a spy.