Prince Andrew has reportedly been barred from appearing in public at today's Order of the Garter ceremony after Prince Charles and Prince William warned the Queen against his attendance.
The disgraced Duke of York, who is a member of the Order, had been expected to join the public procession at the Windsor Castle ceremony.
However, Her Majesty apparently informed him to keep out of sight “for his own good” after Charles and William expressed concerns of public backlash, the Mirror reports.
The 62-year-old will likely only attend private aspects of the ceremony, during which former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to be installed as a member of the medieval royal order.
It has been reported that Andrew was hoping to use the event to mark his return to public life as a member of the royal family.
A source told The Sun : “He was confident and bullish he can make a comeback.”
Prince Andrew stepped down from royal duties in the wake of a sex scandal earlier this year.
He denied the allegations against him and later came to an out of court settlement with his accuser. The settlement is not an admission of guilt.
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 style.
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."
The Order of the Garter ceremony has not been held since 2019 due to Covid and Andrew remains a Knight of the Order despite stepping down from royal duties.
Andrew's older brother Prince Charles and Prince William reportedly agreed the Duke of York should miss the public-facing elements of the event yesterday amid fears of damage to the royals' reputation after a successful Jubilee weekend.
The Queen is said to have made the final decision on the matter.
A source said: “It was a decision taken by the household for the best interests of the family but also the best interests of the Duke of York.”
Members of the public will be present to witness royals walking to the service, during which Camilla will be made a member of the chivalric order.
Prince Andrew, however, is set to only attend the private elements of the ceremony, having missed the Platinum Jubilee celebrations after contracting Covid.
The development comes as Prince Andrew 'wants his HRH status reinstated and his position recognised and respected'.
The beleaguered royal reportedly wants to appear at official events alongside other members of the Royal Family.
He is alleged to have also asked for daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to be given duties as working royals.
It comes after the Queen 'held secret talks with her second son and senior royals ' to discuss his future.
The ceremony had been earmarked as Prince Andrew's first public appearance since he accompanied the Queen to a thanksgiving service for Prince Philip on March 29.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
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