Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince Andrew has been spotted leading the way for the Royal Family at St George’s Chapel in Windsor as he attended the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of King Constantine of Greece.
The Duke of York is no longer a working royal after being forced to step back from public life due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, however it is understood he has been invited to the memorial service as it is a private family event.
Andrew was pictured arriving at the Chapel alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, with their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie also present.
Royal watchers on social media have been outraged about Andrew being seen so publicly with the Royal Family after his spectacular fall from grace.
One wrote on X: “‘Prince Andrew leads…’ should not be anywhere next to ‘Royal Family’. I’m sorry but this is terrible optics all around.”
Another simply added: “Andrew?!!!!!!!!”, however it has been clarified that he was invited by the Greek royals to attend as a member of the family, as he was Constantine’s second cousin.
A third irate royal fan commented: “They’re pushing Andrew back in, and William isn’t having it because he knows this will be damaging to him and George. I’m not saying this is the reason William isn’t there.”
Meanwhile another felt it was “not a great look” while one hit out at King Charles, saying: “Royal Family are clueless…As if Foreign media / any viewers can distinguish between personal / official event. Optics are awful, hope all ok with Wales family.”
King Charles was unable to attend due to his ongoing cancer treatment, with Queen Camilla there as head of the Firm in his place.
Prince William has also pulled out at the last minute, even though he was due to give a reading during the service, and has called his Greek family to apologise.
An exact reason for William’s absence has not been given but Kensington Palace have issued an update clarifying that Princess Kate is still doing well in her recovery.
The Princess of Wales has not been seen in public so far in 2024, having undergone abdominal surgery at a London hospital last month, being discharged after nearly two weeks.
She has continued to recuperate at home in Adelaide Cottage and it is hoped she will be back at work around Easter time.
Inside the Chapel the Duke of York has been seated at the end of the front row next to Princess Alexandra and Marina Ogilvy, with Queen Camilla at the other end of the row.
The royals generally are seated in order of precedence, with fellow working royals Princess Anne, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke of Gloucester sat ahead of Andrew.
Non-working royals such as Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall are sat in the rows immediately behind, however they are positioned further in towards the Chapel than Andrew is.