Princess Eugenie joins Zara Tindall and Prince Harry’s ex-flame for lunch in west London forward of the vacations
Princess Eugenie won’t be joining the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas this year, but Zara Tindall made sure she would still enjoy some festive cheer.
The royal cousins were joined by Prince Harry’s former flame Sky Sports host Natalie Pinkham, 47, presenter Di Stewart, 45, and broadcaster Anna Woolhouse, 40, for a three-hour lunch Zara, 43, hosted at Chelsea’s Mexican restaurant and tequila bar Ixchel.
The pals were laden with bags as they left the west London venue.
It could be Eugenie’s, 34, last get-together for a while with Princess Anne’s daughter, who escapes the cold each January by travelling Down Under for an appearance at the Magic Millions race meeting on the Gold Coast.
Dressed casually, Zara was wrapped up in a khaki jacket and thick grey scarf, which she paired with skinny jeans and black suede ankle boots.
Eugenie, meanwhile, opted for a green silk skirt and a black turtleneck jumper.
The princess, who is set to star in a new documentary about the National Gallery, completed her outfit with a pair of slouchy, knee-high boots with a block heel.
My National Gallery will celebrate 200 years since the institution first opened its doors in 1824 through interviews with its staff and famous visitors including Claudia Winkleman, Michael Palin and Eugenie herself.
Zara Tindall hosted a festive lunch in west London for her cousin Princess Eugenie, 34, and three close friends. L-r: Sky Sports host Natalie Pinkham, 47, Zara Tindall, 43, presenter Di Stewart, 45, and broadcaster Anna Woolhouse, 40
Princess Eugenie (pictured) looked stylish in a khaki silk skirt and a black turtleneck jumper, which she paired with slouchy knee-high boots
Zara, in particular, has had a busy festive calendar, attending the Princess of Wales‘ carol concert on Friday, December 6, and then joining her husband Mike Tindall and television presenter Denise van Outen on Saturday night.
She and Mike, 46, enjoyed a lively night with Denise, 50, at the Green Room Experience Christmas party in London on Saturday, December 14.
Posing for a group shot in a photo booth, Zara donned oversized orange sunglasses while former rugby union ace Mike sported an amusing turkey hat.
The Green Room Experience is a company designed to elevate sports events and concerts, for which Mike is an ambassador.
Also joining the royals at the event was former rugby union captain of England and Green Room Experience ambassador Lawrence Dallaglio, 52, who similarly showed off some quirky shades in the photo booth.
Zara put on a stylish display in a black suit paired with a satin, chocolate brown shirt, while Mike opted for a smart grey suit and blue shirt.
The glamorous mother-of-three looked radiant as she smiled for a selfie with Denise.
In a different shot, Mike got in front of the camera with presenter and DJ Denise for a selfie.
Zara (pictured left) and Mike Tindall (pictured back left) got into the festive spirit at The Green Room Experience Christmas Party alongside Denise van Outen (pictured front) on Saturday evening
Mike (pictured left) got in front of the camera for a selfie with presenter and DJ Denise (pictured right)
Zara opted for a glamorous makeup look with a touch of eyeliner at The Green Room Experience Christmas party
Denise, who donned a white dress and a £400 Vivienne Westwood pearl necklace for the occasion, appeared to get the crowd going while singing a rendition of Sweet Caroline.
After the festivities, Denise got the tube back home, with the TV presenter sporting a lime Santa Claus hat with The Green Room Experience written across the front.
Festive joy of this kind, however, will not be enjoyed by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson on Christmas Day, MailOnline revealed today.
The beleaguered Duke of York has pulled out of joining the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham after his ties to an alleged Chinese spy – named today as Yang Tengbo – came to light.
Amid the scandal, Andrew, 64, has voluntarily decided, along with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, to give the annual celebrations in Norfolk a miss.
It is believed the couple are likely to remain at Royal Lodge.
MailOnline understands that their children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, had already made the decision to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws, having not had the chance to do so for several years.
Prince Andrew is accompanied by his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York at the annual royal outing to the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, Norfolk, on December 25, 2023
Andrew with Edward at the Christmas church service in Sandringham on December 25, 2023
It is understood that The King and Queen were hoping none other than the Duchess of York might come to their rescue and save the family’s festivities this Christmas – and it appears that she has.
Their Majesties had made clear privately that it would be a ‘blessing’ if Sarah – known to them still as ‘Fergie’ – were to persuade her ex-husband to ‘see sense’ and tactfully withdraw from public gatherings over the next week as the storm around his dealings with an alleged Chinese spy still rages.
While the Duchess has found herself at the centre of several royal scandals over the years, Charles and Camilla – like Queen Elizabeth before them – are quite ‘fond’ of her at heart.
They rather admire her loyalty to both Andrew, despite his repeated public travails, as well as the monarchy more generally.
And they believe she was possibly the one person who could talk the Duke round into ‘recusing’ himself from the family’s very public walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day – and possibly into downsizing himself from Royal Lodge.
Remarkably the couple still live together at the grand Windsor mansion Andrew has on a long-term lease from the Crown Estate that is at the centre of much of his most recent controversy.
In an interview at the weekend Sarah likened herself to being a ‘carer for a sad man’ and also spoke of her love for the king and his kindness towards her.
It comes as alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with Andrew and mixed with other British establishment figures, insisted he has ‘done nothing wrong or unlawful’.
