PRINCE Andrew played a central role at his mother Queen Elizabeth’s funeral alongside the rest of the Royal Family.
He followed the Queen’s coffin as it was taken from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey on Monday morning alongside his siblings King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Prince William, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips – Anne’s son – also followed behind.
He also sat right beside her coffin during the service at Westminster Abbey.
The Earl of Inverness – who served in the Falklands War – wore his military medals on his chest but was not allowed to wear full military dress given he is no longer a working member of the Royal Family.
Andrew – who was thought to have been close to his mother - had his honorary military titles stripped earlier this year by the Queen following sexual assault allegations.
READ MORE: Poll claiming drop in independence support since Queen's death questioned by experts
He stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and gave up his HRH style.
He went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to a woman he claimed never to have met.
Virginia Giuffre sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew denied the claims.
Ahead of the funeral, he said in a statement it had been an “honour and privilege” to serve the Queen and he would “forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude”.
READ MORE: Queen’s Piper Major Paul Burns helps to close funeral with traditional bagpipe piece
He is set to remain as Counsellor of State following his mother’s death, meaning he can step in for King Charles III in the event he is unable to undertake official duties.
Last week, more than 6000 people signed a petition calling for Andrew to lose his Earl of Inverness title.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel