'Family decision' taken to keep Prince Andrew's Garter Day appearance private

Buckingham Palace has confirmed Prince Andrew will attend a private lunch and investiture ceremony as part of the Garter Day service but said a “family decision” had been made that he would not take part publicly.

It was reported that the disgraced Duke of York was due to appear alongside senior members of the Royal Family for the annual service in St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

But a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Duke of York will attend the investiture and lunch today but will not be part of the procession or service.”

Andrew, who missed the Platinum Jubilee celebrations after testing positive for COVID, is said to be keen for a return to royal duties.

His last public engagement was when he escorted the Queen to the memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh in March.

The Sunday Times reported that Andrew, who is a Garter Knight, would be present today but The Sun said that the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge had lobbied the Queen on the issue.

The Queen’s second son stepped away from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

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The duke paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein and accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.

He denied all her claims.

In January, ahead of his legal settlement in the case, the Queen stripped Andrew of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his HRH title.

On Sunday, the Telegraph quoted an unnamed source as saying: “The colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards was his most coveted title and he wants it back. Having remained a Counsellor of State, he also believes he should be included at royal and state events.

“Most importantly for him is his status as an HRH and ‘Prince of the Blood’ and he feels that should be reinstated and his position recognised and respected.”

During Monday’s service, the Duchess of Cornwall will be installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter.

Meanwhile, a protest is expected in Windsor amid opposition to former prime minister Sir Tony Blair being appointed to the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry.

It was announced in December that the former Labour leader was to be appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter – the highest possible ranking.

More than 1.5 million signatures were gathered on a petition calling for the knighthood to be “rescinded”, claiming he was the “least deserving person of any public honour” and that he should be “held accountable for war crimes”.

Sir Tony was prime minister during Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Baroness Valerie Amos will also be appointed Lady Companion of the Order.

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