Prince Andrew ‘will not wear a military uniform except for lying at a state vigil’
The Duke of York will return in military uniform for the final vigil around the Queen’s coffin during the lay-in, but not for the state funeral or other ceremonial elements in the coming days, sources said. sources.
Andrew, the late monarch’s disgraced second son, has stepped back from public life after furor over his friendship with a billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epsteinand paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case against a woman he claimed he had never met.
In January, before her legal settlement, her mother Queen stripped him of all honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he abandoned his HRH style.
Andrew, a former Royal Navy officer who served in the Falklands War, retained his rank of vice-admiral.
While working members of the Royal Family, including the King, Prince of Wales, royal princess and the Earl of Wessex will march in military uniform at the state funeral and on other occasions next week, Andrew will not, apart from the vigil.
As a non-working member of the Royal Family, the Duke of York will wear the uniform as a special mark of respect for the Queen at the wake of Westminster Hallsources said.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the Duke of Sussex – also a non-serving royal – will wear military attire.
Working members of the Royal Family will wear the uniform when attending five ceremonies during the Queen’s mourning period.
These are the Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, the Procession to Westminster Hall and the Service of Prayer and Reflection, the Vigil at Westminster Hall and, next Monday, the funeral of State at Westminster Abbey and burial service at St George’s Chapel Windsor.
At the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in April 2021, the matter was dealt with by the Queen who ruled that no member of the Royal Family should wear a uniform.
It was a break from tradition but considered the most eloquent solution to a host of problems.
Reports had suggested that Andrew was considering donning an Admiral’s uniform.
He was due to be promoted to admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but that didn’t happen after the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.
It also meant that Harrywho lost his honorary military titles after deciding to step down as a senior royal, didn’t have to deal with being one of the only close family members to wear civilian clothes .
Harry served two tours of duty in Afghanistan during a decade in the military.