Prince Andrew has caused controversy by attending the coronation of King Charles III wearing full ceremonial robes. The Duke of York was booed by crowds as he was driven to the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6).
The duke first stepped down from public life after a disastrous BBC interview in 2019 that provoked furore over his long-standing friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He later paid £12 million in an out-of-court settlement to his accuser Virginia Giuffre.
As a result of the controversy, the late Queen banned Andrew from wearing formal Order of the Garter robes during her final Garter Day at Windsor Castle. But at today's ceremony, the Duke of York entered the abbey wearing them, the Mirror reports.
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That was in contrast to Prince Harry, who was wearing a plain suit after stepping down as working royal in 2020. The arrival of Prince Andrew in full ceremonial attire to attend his brother's coronation has sparked some controversy online.
Royal commentator Russell Myers tweeted: "Interesting to see Prince Andrew in his Garter robes, two weeks after Buckingham Palace told the Daily Mirror that he would not. Big decision from the King considering the Duke of York was banned by the late Queen from wearing them in public for her last Garter Day at Windsor Castle."
Broadcaster Nicola Thorp tweeted a picture of the Duke of York in his robes with the comment: "Prince Andrew is a disgrace. Pass it on." Activist Patsy Stevenson added: "Protestors aren't allowed but Prince Andrew is."
Ahead of his legal settlement, the Queen stripped Andrew of all of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his HRH style. The Duke of York arrived at Westminster Abbey alongside Prince Harry and Anne, the Princess Royal.
They arrived just before 10.40am, with Andrew later taking his seat in the Lantern area in the third row with the rest of the Royal Family. Although attending the service, Andrew will be absent from the procession behind the Gold State Coach carrying the newly crowned King and Queen from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
He is also set to be absent during an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF flypast later this afternoon. Andrew has always continued to deny allegations against him.
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