Prince Andrew stripped of military titles and royal patronages

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

On Monday, it was revealed the Queen, 95, had returned to Windsor Castle after a stay at Sandringham and she will be returning to “light duties”. In addition, the monarch hopes to attend three events in March including a thanksgiving service for Prince Philip, held on March 29 at Westminster Abbey.

The Duke of Edinburgh – the nation’s longest-serving consort – died aged 99 on April 9, just two months before he would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

Andrew is expected to attend the ceremony, which will bring together large numbers of the Royal Family in addition to friends and colleagues of the late Prince Philip.

​​A royal source told The Sun: “Prince Andrew is expected at the service of thanksgiving as he is a son of the Duke of Edinburgh.”

Andrew’s reported appearance will come days after he is due to meet lawyers representing Virginia Giuffre as part of the civil sex assault case against him.

The Duke of York, 61, will testify under oath in what has been described as a neutral location in London on March 10.

Ms Giuffre claims she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions when she was a minor under US law.

Andrew vehemently denies the claims.

The Duke was stripped of all his military titles and royal patronages last month after the case was confirmed as going to trial.

It is understood that, during the deposition, Andrew will be questioned about three alleged assaults in 2001.

The Queen is due to begin her Platinum Jubilee year with a series of major events, before more celebrations honouring her 70-year reign kick-off in the summer.

Her Majesty is expected to host a diplomatic reception hosted at Windsor Castle on March 2.

The Queen is also due to be present at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14.

DON’T MISS 
Kate and William in ‘skilful piece of diplomacy’ to secure support [INSIGHT] 
Camilla shows ‘inner anxiety’ on latest royal outing – must ‘iron out’ [ANALYSIS] 
Beaming Kate gets stuck in and helps adorable boy cut banana [PICTURES]

In the past, the event has been attended by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

This could mean all these members of the Firm could reunite in public for the first time in months – a particularly significant feat following the Queen’s ill-health for the latter half of 2021.

Most significantly on the monarch’s calendar though is her husband’s thanksgiving service.

Being surrounded by those who knew and loved her “strength and stay” Prince Philip will be particularly poignant for the Queen after she sat distanced from other mourners due to Covid regulations during his funeral service.

Palace officials also say the Queen is expected to undertake audiences, credentials and privy council meetings, both in-person and virtually, in the coming months.

Over the weekend, Buckingham Palace released a photograph to mark the beginning of her 70th year on the throne and showed her getting stuck into work again.

The snap shows the Queen while dealing with one of the Government’s red boxes she receives daily and she smiles widely as she has documents placed in front of her.

Source: Read Full Article