Prince Andrew will play 'central role' in Queen's funeral - before 'disappearing' from public life again

Prince Andrew will play a ‘central role’ in the Queen’s funeral as the Royals attempt to put on a united front during the period of national mourning, but he is expected to disappear from public life afterwards.

The Duke of York has rarely been seen in public since his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became public knowledge, but he will be granted a reprieve to mourn his mother, according to a palace source.

Andrew will play a key role in the current period of national mourning, however he ‘has no hope of return to public life once she is laid to rest', the source added.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, smiles at members of the public after attending a service at Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)

Andrew will join his family in mourning following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral on Thursday with sources saying it would be 'out of the question' for him to be excluded.

The Duke joined other members of the family in Edinburgh for the arrival of the Queen's funeral cortege and is expected to walk behind his mother's coffin today, in a procession from Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles' Cathedral.

Prince Andrew stands shoulder to shoulder with Princess Anne, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence as they await the arrival of the hearse carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andrew is thought to have been very close to his late mother and was seen walking arm-in-arm with the Queen for the funeral of his late father, Prince Phillip.

His appearance at the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial was his first time appearing in public since settling a civil sex abuse case with Virginia Giuffre, with no admission of liability.

A palace source told the Telegraph that with the Royal Family trying to present a united front it would be "out of the question" for Andrew not to be involved in the funeral.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York views the flowers left by mourners outside Balmoral Castle (WireImage)

"Once it is all over, he will be expected to retreat back to a life lived well under the royal radar," the paper quotes the source as saying.

For now though he is standing shoulder to shoulder with other Royals and will join the procession following her coffin to St Giles' today alongside his brother King Charles, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his sister, the Princess Royal.

Prince Andrew and members of the Royal Family stand as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, arrives at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (PA)

Once at St. Giles’ cathedral members of the Royal Family will stand vigil by the coffin this evening, which will have the crown of Scotland placed upon it.

The Queen will lie at rest there for 24 hours allowing members of the public to pay their respects before the coffin is flown to London on Tuesday.