Opening up their order of service at Monday’s Garter Day ceremony, many a guest’s eye would have been drawn to the Duke of York’s name, which appeared in the procession list directly ahead of the Duke of Cambridge’s.
The papers had been full of the news that Andrew would be taking part in the ceremonial event – marking his first public appearance since his headline-grabbing turn at the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in March - and everyone was on tenterhooks to see just what kind of entrance he’d make. Would the pariah prince hog the limelight yet again, waving imperiously in his blue velvet robes and plumed hat? Or would he have the sense to retreat into the background this time around? In the end, the Royal Family decided it was a risk they couldn’t afford to take – at the very last minute, Andrew was banned from appearing at all.
