Prince Andrew will attend a service of thanksgiving to the Duke of Edinburgh but key members of the Royal Family will not be there.
The event, due to be held at Westminster Abbey in honour of Prince Philip who died last April aged 99, is taking place on Tuesday, March 29.
A statement today confirmed members of the Royal Family will be attending the service and the event marks the Duke of York's first royal appearance since his father's funeral.
The statement read: “Members of the Royal Family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, 29th March.
“The Service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, Nation and Commonwealth and recognise the importance of his legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, and supporting the Armed Forces.
“The Service will in particular pay tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to public life and steadfast support for the over 700 charitable organisations with which His Royal Highness was associated throughout his life.”
It will be Andrew's first public appearance since the out-of-court agreement – revealed in court documents in mid-February – was made with his accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew stepped down from royal duties in November 2019. He attended Philip’s funeral in April 2021.
In January, the Queen stripped her second son of his prestigious honorary military titles and royal patronages, and he stopped using his HRH style, in a move that effectively cast him adrift from the institution.
But it had been thought that any decision around Andrew’s attendance would depend on whether the Queen considers the thanksgiving church service a family event or an official engagement, and how much she and royal aides would be concerned that Andrew’s presence could detract from the proceedings.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will miss the service.
The Duke of York's nephew had already confirmed he will not be attending over his security fears.
The Queen's attendance is also in doubt amid fears for her health.
Other guests include representatives from the Government, the Armed Forces and the Devolved Administrations as well as representatives of Overseas Territories, The Queen's Household, the clergy and other faiths.
The congregation will have more than 500 representatives of The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronages and charities.
The Queen missed the Commonwealth Day service earlier this month, with the decision to cancel her appearance understood to be related to her comfort travelling the 26-mile journey from Windsor Castle to London.
