Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Feguson missing as Beatrice throws christening bash

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson were both absent from the after-party after watching their granddaughter Athena's christening at the Chapel Royal in St James' Palace. Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi had their youngest daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi baptised in a close-knit ceremony this morning.

The former prince arrived at St James's Palace in London in a Range Rover this morning, quickly entering via a side gate away from waiting media. The former Duchess arrived separately, crouching forwards in the back of a Mercedes people carrier. The christening appeared to feature just immediate family, and no senior royals were present - The King and Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne were absent.

Athena is Andrew and Fergie's fourth grandchild and is the second daughter of Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo.

Beatrice's sister Princess Eugenie, however, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and two sons August and Ernest did attend and were pictured arriving at the event.

Also in attendance at the christening and party were singer James Blunt and his wife, Sofia Wellesley. Beatrice was seen arriving at a pub with a group of friends, including Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark who will be godmother to Athena.

Edoardo was seen holding a large white box, which is thought to be a cake for guests, but there was no sign of Fergie and Andrew, as reported in the Mirror.

It comes as the King officially stripped his disgraced brother Andrew of both his HRH style and his prince title because of his "serious lapses of judgment" over his association with late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The decision followed the publication of a posthumous memoir by Andrew's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and the US government's release of documents from Epstein's estate. Andrew, however, denied all accusations made against him.

As well as being stripped of his titles, he has also been forced to give up his huge Royal Lodge mansion and will move to Sandringham Estate next year- privately funded by the King.

The christening marks the first royal event attended by Andrew and Sarah since the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in September.