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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Katie Weston & Michelle Cullen

Prince Andrew seen for the first time since Queen's funeral as his royal future looks bleak

Prince Andrew has been seen for the first time since his mother, Queen Elizabeth's funeral.

The royal was seen riding his horse along the River Thames on Saturday as he sported a blue jumper and tie.

The 62-year-old played a "central role" in the Queen's funeral procession on Monday, marching alongside his siblings from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey.

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Prince Andrew wore a mourning suit for the walk but was allowed to wear military uniform at the monarch's lying-in-state the week previously, after reportedly being requested to by King Charles out of respect to his mother.

King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex follow behind The Queen's funeral cortege borne on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (gettyimages.ie)

The Duke of York and the Royal Family are currently in a period of mourning, which will officially come to an end on Monday, September 26.

Andrew's appearance comes after reports that the King has no plans to return him to the fold as a working royal, according to a royal source speaking to The Times.

The Duke had most of his honorary military titles and patronage associations removed by the Queen in January 2022, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and his HRH style.

The royal famously said to be The Queen's favourite son, stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

It followed Virginia Giuffre bringing a civil lawsuit against him, saying he abused her three times in 2001.

The case was settled out of court when Andrew paid over €13million to Ms Giuffre, though he has no recollection of meeting her.

Court documents published at the time showed Prince Andrew regrets his "association" with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and to show his remorse, he plans "on supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims".The Duke has always denied wrongdoing and has said in the past he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.

His demotion and Prince Harry's departure for the United States has resulted in a smaller Royal Family.

This is expected to continue under King Charles' plan for a 'slimmed-down' European-style monarchy.

It means The Firm is now made up of the King, his Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.

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