Prince Andrew will play a major role in his dad Prince Philip's memorial service, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of York, who has been stripped of his royal and military titles due to controversy around his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, no longer attends royal events, however has been invited to today's service of thanksgiving.
He travelled from Windsor to London for the event, which is taking place at Westminster Abbey, with his mother The Queen this morning.
Royal biographer Robert Jobson believes the Duke of York, who is attending with his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their husbands, will play a prominent role in the event.
He told GB News: “I think Prince Andrew may play a more prominent role than we think.
“My understanding is that someone has to support the Queen and I think he’ll be at her side.
“I think Charles will probably be with Camilla, we’ll have to see what happens, but I know that has been discussed.”
The Queen only made her final decision about whether to attend this morning amid her recent health woes.
Mr Jobson said: "If she's in some discomfort, I think the discomfort won't discourage her from being there.
"There'll be organisation of how to get her there in the best way possible.
"But with all those heads of state foreign crown princes and kings and queens, the queen there, the Royal Family there and the fact that it’s for him.
"And I think that she'll make every effort to come in through the front door and the best to get to the position with the walking stick.”
Jobson said some 700 charities and groups supported by royal patronage would be represented at today’s event and that the royals have a deep involvement in all levels of British society.
Asked by host Eamonn Holmes about who Prince Phillip got on with least in the family, Jobson said: “I think his relationship with his eldest son, Prince Charles is an interesting one. And it certainly improved over the years towards the end.
“They were very, very close but certainly I think in the early years, it was a difficult relationship.”
About 1,800 people have been invited to the memorial, including foreign royals and politicians.
Royal guests will include Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Anne.
Some of Prince Philip's great-grandchildren, including Prince George and Mia Tindall, will also be there.
