The annual Garter Day procession of royals has taken place in Windsor - but there was no place in the parade for Prince Andrew.
The Firm has taken a “family decision” to limit disgraced Andrew's appearance on Garter Day to a behind-the-scenes lunch and investiture ceremony.
Therefore Andrew was not seen in public during the event, one of the most colourful in the royal calendar, after Prince Charles and Prince William reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation.
However, other royals donning the grand velvet robes and plumed hats today included Charles, William, Princess Anne and for the first time Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, after she was installed in the Order earlier.
The procession came after it was reported that William warned he would pull out of today's ceremony if his disgraced uncle was allowed to take part.
According to the Evening Standard, William was "so alarmed" at the prospect of Andrew taking part in the event, that he made it clear that unless the Duke of York was dropped from taking part in public, he would not be taking part.
A senior source told the publication: "The Duke of Cambridge was adamant. If York insisted on taking part publicly, he would withdraw. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the claims.
Elsewhere, watching the procession from the sidelines was the Duchess of Cambridge, who arrived at St George's Chapel in a car alongside Sophie Wessex.
Kate dressed head to toe in blue, including a pair of very bling sling back heels, while Sophie looked sophisticated in a baby pink dress with a cream hat. After the procession and service, the royals then took a carriage back to Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile, the Queen did not take part in the procession of Garter Knights who walk through the grounds of Windsor Castle to St George’s Hall where the annual service commemorating the Order is held.
Given the monarch’s mobility issues the decision was expected and in past years she has travelled by car to the place of worship. However, she was expected to attend the lunch and the investiture ceremony.
Earlier today Prince Andrew was photographed driving to Windsor Castle, where his mother is currently living, wearing a suit waistcoat
The duke’s reputation has been severely tarnished by his involvement in a civil sexual assault case, and it is understood a “family decision” was taken to reduce his involvement to a lunch and investiture ceremony for new Order of the Garter recipients, both held behind closed doors.
The Queen had signalled her support for Andrew – rumoured to be her favourite child – by arriving with him for the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in March.
But there has been speculation senior members of the royal family did not approve of his appearance and it appears the Queen has conceded to their views regarding Garter Day staged at Windsor Castle.
The Sun said that heirs to the throne, Prince Charles and Prince William, had lobbied the Queen on the issue.
Senior royals feared a “backlash”, the newspaper said, adding that Charles and William were said to have agreed their approach before telling the Queen, who made the final decision.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said earlier today: “The Duke of York will attend the investiture and lunch today but will not be part of the procession or service.”
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 recognising contributions to public service.
Members of the Order include the Queen, several senior royals and 24 other Knights or Ladies, who are personally chosen by the monarch for recognition of their work.
Some foreign monarchs are also in the order but are known as 'Stranger' Knights. These include King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
During today's service, former Prime Minister Tony Blair was also made a Knight of the Garter and Baroness Amos, a Lady of the Garter.
Royals who are in the Order include Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
