Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie pictured after pulling out of family Christmas
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie reunited at Buckingham Palace on Thursday to join members of the royal family at the King's pre-Christmas lunch.
The York sisters were joined by their husbands, with Beatrice arriving separately alongside Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Eugenie with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Despite the family reunion, some members of the royal family were noticeably absent at the King's lunch.
The Duke of York pulled out of the occasion this week as he continues to be dogged by his links to an alleged Chinese spy.
Prince Andrew decided not to attend the gathering after speaking to his ex-wife and close friend Sarah, Duchess of York, according to a source.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, were also absent from the Buckingham Palace soirée, as they are believed to have already arrived at Sandringham for their Christmas break.
Beatrice and Eugenie's presence at the Palace comes after both sisters announced they would not be spending Christmas with their family members in Sandringham, as per tradition.
Each year, the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted her entire royal family at her beloved Sandringham Estate on Christmas Day (a tradition continued by King Charles).
Instead, HELLO! understands the York sisters are set to spend the festive season with their respective in-laws, marking the first time they have done so since their marriages.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS
Why the Prince and Princess of Wales missed festive Buckingham Palace lunch
Duchess Sophie turns heads in the brightest trousers we've seen a royal wear
Princess Anne shines on stage in velvet dress to accept lifetime achievement award
A quiet Christmas for Princess Beatrice
Earlier this year, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Princess Beatrice and Edoardo were expecting their second child together; a sibling for their daughter Sienna, and Edoardo's son Wolfie from a previous relationship.
The pregnant royal's absence at the annual royal Christmas walkabout will no doubt be felt by royal fans who line the walk from Sandringham to St Mary Magdalene Church, in hopes of spotting the Princess' blooming baby bump.
The stylish royal never fails to delight on 25 December with her immaculate winter wardrobe, as does her sister, Princess Eugenie, who is yet to bring her two sons August and Ernest for their first Christmas walkabout debut.
