Prince Andrew: 'Long road back to public life' says expert

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The Duke of York has kept a low profile since stepping back from royal duties in 2019 after his disastrous Newsnight interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager, said she was left “horrified and ashamed” after an alleged sexual encounter with Prince Andrew in London in 2001 – claims the royal strenuously denies.

It is fair to say there was significant alarm behind palace gates

Camilla Tominey

Andrew, who was previously dubbed Air Miles Andy amid criticism of his globe-trotting, denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

He will make his first appearance at an official royal event since stepping down when he attends Prince Philip’s funeral tomorrow.

He broke his silence when he spoke about his father outside the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, last Sunday.

But royal commentator Camilla Tominey said Andrew’s public tribute caused eyebrows to be raised inside Buckingham Palace.

Writing in the Telegraph, she said: “It is fair to say there was significant alarm behind palace gates at reports suggesting that Prince Andrew’s touching tribute to his father outside All Saints Church in Windsor on Sunday somehow signalled a return to working royal life.”

She also said a “distress signal was raised” later in the week when the Duke of York demanded to attend the service as an Admiral, despite having to defer his promotion to that Royal Navy rank over the Epstein scandal.

The issue was resolved when the Queen declared mourners should wear civilian clothes to the royal ceremonial funeral rather than military uniform, a decision which also spared the blushes of Prince Harry who has been forced to relinquish his honorary titles.

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Andrew said the death of his father had resonating with many people and described Prince Philip as “The grandfather of the nation.”

He said members of the family had rallied to support the Queen after the death of her husband of more than 70 years.

Andrew said: “The Queen, as you would expect, is an incredibly stoic person.

“She described it as having left a huge void in her life but we, the family, the ones that are close, are rallying round to make sure that we’re there to support her.”

He said the family was grateful for all the “absolutely amazing tributes” to his father.

He said: “He was a remarkable man.

“I loved him as a father. He was so calm. If you had a problem, he would think about it.

“That’s the great thing that I always think about, that he was always somebody you could go to and he would always listen so it’s a great loss.

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“We’ve lost almost the grandfather of the nation.

“And I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother who’s feeling it probably more than everybody else.”

Prince Philip’s funeral, which will be televised throughout, begins at 3pm tomorrow although its ceremonial aspects get underway an hour earlier.

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