The Prince and Princess of Wales will not join the wider royal family today for a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.
A palace source said that William and Kate were already in Norfolk for the start of the holidays.
The source added that their absence was not linked to the news that the Duke and Duchess of York had pulled out after revelations that Andrew had a close association with an alleged Chinese spy.
The King and his private secretary Sir Clive Alderton arrive at the palace for lunch
AARON CHOWN/PA
The Yorks have also let it be known that they will not join the royal family in Sandringham on Christmas Day.
The lunch at Buckingham Palace is traditionally attended by about 70 guests. Last year the event was hosted by Charles at Windsor Castle.
A Kensington Palace source confirmed that William and Kate would be in Sandringham next week, when they are expected to join the family walk to church on Christmas Day.