Pouting Prince Louis joins George and Charlotte for Christmas lunch

Young royals Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte have been among the stars of the show at a Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch hosted by the King.

Louis, seven, appeared to be pouting as he was seen sitting in the back of one of the cars heading today to the Royal Family occasion in central London.

He was there with elder siblings George, 12, and 10-year-old Charlotte, alongside their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

In contrast, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was today pictured riding his horse in the pouring rain while his daughters were among those welcomed by the King.

The disgraced former prince, who was formally stripped of his titles over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, looked miserable as he was caught in a downpour while riding around Windsor Park this morning.

His daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, beamed as they arrived at Buckingham Palace together to celebrate Christmas with King Charles and other members of the Royal Family.

They joined the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were seen arriving with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in the back of the car.

Prince George, wearing a smart suit and tie, was also in attendance.

Prince William was at the wheel as the family arrived at Buckingham Palace, with his wife Princess Catherine in the front passenger seat. 

Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor were also spotted arriving at the Palace – as were the Duke of Kent and Lady Sarah Chatto.

Princess Eugenie marked the festive occasion by wearing a pair of candy cane earrings.

Andrew’s notable absence from the royal festivities comes just days after the Metropolitan Police confirmed it would ‘take no further action’ over claims he asked his police protection officer to dig up dirt on his sexual assault accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

Eugenie and Beatrice had both been absent from Catherine’s carol concert on December 5, but were back in the fold today. 

It is understood the King does not want to punish the sisters for their father’s actions.

The King traditionally hosts a meal for his family ahead of going to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk over Christmas.

Andrew’s absence comes after he was stripped of his last remaining military title yesterday.

The 65-year-old will no longer be allowed to call himself a Vice-Admiral after he was demoted to Commander following a meeting of the Defence Council.

Defence Secretary John Healey had previously promised the move after saying it was what King Charles ‘has indicated we should take’.

The Vice-Admiral rank was Andrew’s final remaining title – although he will be permitted to keep the medals he earned serving as a Navy helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War.

A Government spokesman said: ‘Following formal consideration, Defence Council have agreed the immediate reversion from the rank of Vice-Admiral to the rank of Commander (Retired) Royal Navy, the rank held on retirement from Regular Royal Naval Service by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

‘This decision aligns with such processes as to remove other styles and titles.’

Andrew retained his Vice-Admiral rank after being stripped of his other military positions and patronages after the late Virginia Giuffre filed a civil case over allegations of sexual abuse.

He settled the case but has always strenuously denied wrongdoing.

Andrew is no longer a prince following revelations over his former friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He is also being kicked out of his home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, and will have to move to a new property on King Charles’ Sandringham Estate.