Duchess of York bans skiing for daughters

LONDON - The Duchess of York has banned her daughters from taking their annual family skiing holiday as she fears one of the family might break a limb before Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

Sarah Ferguson was supposed to go to the exclusive resort of Verbier in Switzerland with her two daughters to celebrate former husband Prince Andrew’s 51st birthday.

The outing has become a ritual, with the family usually opting to stay at a luxury chalet belonging to Formula One racing tycoon Paddy McNally.

However, a source close to the family has confirmed the Duchess had cancelled this year’s trip.

“The plan had been to fly out to Verbier in the second week of February. Prince Andrew was to have joined them in time for his birthday, on February 19, but she has made it known that she will not be going because she does not want the risk of herself or her daughters breaking an arm or a leg,” the Daily Express quoted a close family friend as saying.

“I think it shows how seriously she is taking the prospect of being invited to the wedding,” added the source.

However, royal insiders have denied speculation that the rest of the royal family is also keeping off the pistes for the same reason.

“Prince Charles took his boys on a skiing holiday on the week before his own wedding so I don’t think it’s a factor for him or them,” said a spokesman. (ANI)