PRINCE ANDREW won't celebrate New Year with his family at their £13 million Swiss ski lodge this year, it is claimed.

The under-fire Duke Of York will be "lying low" while ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters Beatrice and Eugenie head to the exclusive village of Verbier, The Daily Mail reports.

Eugenie and Beatrice will join Fergie at the Alpine ski resort after spending Christmas in Sandringham with the Queen and royal family, the Mail reports.

Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties because of allegations connected to his friendship with US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

His relationship with the billionaire came under further scrutiny following allegations by Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was trafficked to the prince and had sex with him three times.

Prince Andrew has always denied her claims.

'LYING LOW'

A friend of Fergie told The Daily Mail: "The Duchess of York will be spending Christmas in Switzerland.

"Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will be joining her after they've spent the festive period with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

"Prince Andrew will not be joining them this year. He will be lying low back home."

Andrew and Fergie bought the £22,000-a-week luxury chalet in 2014, and the Duke was said to be there with close pals when the Epstein scandal broke in 2015.

The seven-bedroom pad boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom fur throws, antiques and artworks.

This week, Andrew decided to miss Beatrice's star-studded engagement party over fears of causing "embarrassment or abuse".

The bash took place at showbiz hotspot Chiltern Firehouse to celebrate Beatrice’s engagement to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

He attended the Queen’s Christmas lunch on Wednesday with other senior members of the royal family, as well as a staff party at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Andrew abandoned his royal duties following a disastrous Newsnight interview in November.

During the bombshell interview Prince Andrew denied sleeping with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions, twice while she was underage.

'GOING THROUGH HELL'

He said at the time: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.”

Ms Giuffre has spoken in support of Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, accepting that they are “going through hell”.

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She tweeted: “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, I have no qualms with them.”

Royal courtiers have been discussing banning Andrew from attending church with the Queen at Sandringham on Christmas Day over fears his presence will attract sex abuse campaigners.

However, it has since been indicated that he will still be present.

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