Prince Andrew Allowed Back for Private Jubilee Ceremony After Covid Snub
Prince Andrew, who missed the big Platinum Jubilee celebrations after testing positive for Covid, will be confined to private parts of Monday’s ceremony. His last public outing was back in March, when he attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service alongside his mother, the Queen.
Covid Knocked Andrew Out of Jubilee Service
Earlier this month, Andrew was set to join the royal family at a thanksgiving service in St Paul’s Cathedral, part of the four-day Jubilee bash. But just days before, he was diagnosed with coronavirus, forcing him to pull out.
Charles and William Pulled Strings Behind the Scenes
The Sunday Times revealed that Andrew, a Garter Knight, will now attend the annual St George’s Chapel service at Windsor Castle on Monday, appearing alongside senior royals. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge reportedly lobbied the Queen hard to allow his attendance.
According to The Sun, senior royals feared a public backlash. Charles and William agreed on a strategy before advising the Queen, who made the final call. Buckingham Palace and Andrew’s reps have yet to comment.
Andrew’s HRH Status Still in Limbo
It’s been reported Andrew wants his HRH title reinstated. But after the massive scandal over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, the Queen’s second son stepped back from public life. He paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with a woman he claimed never to have met.
“Andrew denied the allegations.”
Virginia Giuffre, trafficked by Epstein, accused him of assaulting her aged 17. Following this, Andrew was kicked out of the working monarchy. In January, the Queen stripped him of honorary military roles and he gave up his HRH style, just before settling the legal case.
