It’s the question that’s on everyone’s lips: will Prince Andrew attend the Queen’s funeral?
Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8 has set in motion a 10-day mourning period for Brits as the country gears up to commemorate Her Majesty’s life and legacy.
Although the details surrounding the Queen’s funeral have not yet been confirmed, it’s expected the state service will be held on Sunday, September 18 or Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey.
The service will be held in the morning local time as the nation marks two minutes of silence and will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Widely known as the Queen’s ‘favourite son’, an embattled Prince Andrew, 62, will make an appearance at her funeral and is likely to process behind her coffin, just as he did for his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.
He unexpectedly played a prominent role in Prince Phillip’s funeral as he escorted the Queen into the memorial service.
Andrew travelled to The Queen’s bedside at Balmoral on Thursday and was driven to the Scottish castle by Prince William.
It’s expected he will want to pay an on-camera tribute to his mother but whether he will be allowed to or not will be entirely up to senior members of the Royal Family.
The Duke of York’s exile from the Firm is anticipated to be permanent as Prince Charles takes the helm as King.
The disgraced royal has largely remained out of the public eye in recent months after his friendship with U.S. financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, was exposed and sparked intense public backlash.
Royal experts largely agree that there will be no public comeback for Prince Andrew after the Queen’s death, but his place in the family will remain as the Royals grieve.
After the state funeral and processions through London and Windsor, a private interment service will be held that night with senior members of the Royal family.
The funeral will be televised for audiences around the world.