Prince Andrew is “seeking to make amends” after settling his sex abuse case, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said as he spoke of the importance of an “open and forgiving” society.

In an interview with ITV News, Justin Welby also said the Queen was “fully entitled” to have been accompanied by Andrew at the memorial service for Prince Philip in March.

The Archbishop said he recognised “there’s very deep feelings indeed” but added: “We have become a very unforgiving society”.

There has been much discussion around how many, if any, events Andrew will take part in at his mother’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Andrew, 62, agreed to settle the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. He denied the allegations.

In the interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, Mr Welby said: “Forgiveness really does matter. I think we have become a very, very unforgiving society. There’s a difference between consequences and forgiveness.

“I think for all of us, one of the ways that we celebrate when we come together is in learning to be a more open and forgiving society.

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“Now with Prince Andrew, I think we all have to step back a bit. He’s seeking to make amends and I think that’s a very good thing.

“But you can’t tell people how they’re to respond about this. And the issues of the past in the area of abuse are so intensely personal and private for so many people.

“It’s not surprising. There’s very deep feelings, indeed.”

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