Despite it only being less than a week into the New Year, it appears King Charles III has already been dealt a fresh blow.
The 75-year-old has started off on poor footing, having been beaten in the Christmas Day TV ratings by Wallace and Gromit, according to new reports as the nation tuned out of his speech.
It comes as Charles is already facing growing pressure amid the ongoing family dramas, with the rift between senior Royal Family members being strained more than ever with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
Although the Sussexes bid farewell to royal duties in 2020 and left life in the UK behind, there is still trouble bubbling from across the pond where the couple reside with their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
If it wasn't enough to have to keep a keen eye on Harry and Meghan's plans, Charles is also dealing with the ongoing fallout surrounding Prince Andrew and his recently reported links with a Chinese spy.
Jennie Bond, a former royal correspondent, labelled Prince Andrew as a "pariah" within the family, indicating that he may have pushed King Charles too far after a series of controversies.
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"The King is a kind soul and Andrew is his brother. He would have hated to be put in the position of having to un-invite him or ban him from what promises to be a big family get-together," Bond commented to OK! magazine.
Bond also noted: "It seems quite likely Andrew sat down with Fergie, and possibly his daughters, to discuss the best solution."
"Thankfully, wise heads have prevailed and he obviously realised his presence at Sandringham would be an embarrassing distraction on a day which - this year of all years - should be all about the King and Catherine," she concluded.
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