The Queen having Prince Andrew escort her into Prince Philip's memorial service shows she's still the main decision-maker in the Royal Family, an expert has said.
Following reports about her mobility issues, Her Majesty only confirmed her attendance at the memorial for her beloved husband just hours before the service.
And when she entered Westminster Abbey where the event was taking place, she did so on the arm of disgraced son Andrew.
As the Mirror previously reported, the Queen defiantly overruled heirs Prince Charles and Prince William to allow Andrew to have a special role in the service.
The future kings were “absolutely united” that it was “simply unnecessary” for Andrew to position himself as the only family member to escort the Queen to the church.
But well placed sources have confirmed the 95-year-old monarch told them it was “her wish and final decision” that Andrew should chaperone her into the Abbey.
And now royal expert Katie Nicholl has told True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat that this shows the Queen is still very much in charge of family matters.
She explained: "They [Charles and William] knew the result of this... this was the Queen’s way of showing two things; one, that the buck stops with her, and she makes the decisions, and secondly that she believes he’s innocent.
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"She made the point very, very clearly. But Charles and William were very aware of the perspective, of the optics of this.
Unfortunately, this picture [of Prince Andrew escorting the Queen] has overtaken what should have been a memorial to a great man.”
Meanwhile, fellow royal biographer and journalist Duncan Larcombe also told the programme: "This is the first proper set-piece royal event since Prince Andrew settled his case, and it’s a way of getting it out of the way - you know, ’we’re not going to lock him in a cupboard, he’s at his father’s memorial service and of course, he’d be there’.
"But I think that it was a very bold decision of the Queen."
Their comments come as sources close to Andrew have suggested he “still believes he has much to offer the family and public service in general”, opening up the possibility he is aiming for a role for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer.
Senior royal sources say that while Charles and William do not want him at official engagements, one insider added: “Ultimately as this episode shows, it’s up to the Queen - and if she wants Andrew there he will be there.”
The Royal Beat - available on True Royalty TV.
