EXCLUSIVE: Prince Andrew did not let his public scandal deter him from joining the other members of the British Royal Family to mourn his father, Prince Philip.
On April 11, the Duke of York spoke out for the first time since relinquishing public duties following his nuclear BBC interview in November 2019 about his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The 61-year-old, the third of Philip and Queen Elizabeth II’s four children, attended church at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Castle with other members of the royal family.
“I loved him as a father,” Andrew told reporters waiting outside. “He was so calm … He was always someone you could turn to and he was always listening.”
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“We almost lost the nation’s grandfather,” Andrew told the benefactors. “And I feel sorry for and support my mom, who probably feels it more than anyone else.”
Andrew added that the queen, 94, “described how it left a huge void in her life.”
“But we, the family, those close to her, are gathering to make sure we’re there to support her,” he noted.
Real Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen said he wasn’t surprised the scandal-battered prince spoke up after losing his father – but not everyone felt that way.
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh watch the flypast over the Mall of British and US World War 11 planes from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on National Remembrance Day 10 July 2005.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein / Getty Images)
“I understand the palace was surprised by Prince Andrew speaking to the cameras, because of course he kept himself incredibly low,” he claimed.
The award-winning documentary maker has been making programs about the royal family for nearly 20 years and has worked closely with Andrew’s eldest brother, Prince Charles, for eight years.
The 72-year-old Prince of Wales is next in line for the throne.
‘That said, it was Andrew’s father who died,’ Bullen shared. “It was a son’s personal statement about the loss of his father. So personally I think he should give his opinion. It was not an official role. He attended a private church service and was asked how he felt about it. loss of his father. “
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Royal Ascot Race Meeting – Ladies Day. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Jeffrey Epstein (far right) at Ascot. The disgraced financier died in 2019 at the age of 66.
(Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
In November 2019, Andrew announced that he was relinquishing public duties “for the foreseeable future” because of his association with the infamous US sex offender.
Andrew said in a statement at the time that his ties to Epstein had become a “major disruption” to the royal family’s charity work. The prince also said he was willing to assist any law enforcement agency with an investigation.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre previously claimed that Epstein made her have sex with several wealthy or notable men, including Andrew. Giuffre said she had sex with the prince three times – in London and Epstein’s mansion in New York when she was 17 and in the U.S. Virgin Islands when she was about 18. He has denied the charges.
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The 2001 photo included in court files shows Prince Andrew with his arm around the waist of 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre who says Jeffrey Epstein paid her to have sex with the prince. Andrew has denied the charges. In the background is Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. (South Florida Court)
(Court of Appeals on the US Second Circuit)
“Yes, people were a bit surprised when Prince Andrew spoke out, but I think that’s a bit unfair,” said Bullen. “I think he should be allowed to speak his truth about his father.”
On Thursday, the Queen decided that senior royals should wear civilian clothes to Philip’s funeral, easing any tensions over who should be allowed to don military uniforms.
This means that Prince Harry will not be the only member of the royal family not in uniform at Saturday’s funeral for his grandfather, who died at the age of 99 on April 9.
Members of the Royal Family often wear uniforms at public events for their honorary roles in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. But Harry lost his military honorary titles when he decided to give up royal duties on the front lines last year.
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Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 10, 2016 in London, England.
((Photo by Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images))
As a result, the protocol suggests that Andrew’s cousin, an army veteran who has served twice in Afghanistan, should only wear a suit of medals at royal events, the British Press Association reported.
The decision also sidesteps another potential controversy after reports that Andrew was considering wearing an admiral’s uniform at his father’s funeral. Andrew retains his military titles, even though he was forced to relinquish royal duties.
The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Windsor Castle, with attendance limited to 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
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In this June 8, 1948 file photo, the Duke of Edinburgh sitting next to Princess Elizabeth acknowledges the cheers of the crowd as the open Landau runs down Fleet Street on its way to London’s Guildhall. Buckingham Palace officials say Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away, it was announced on Friday, April 9, 2021. He was 99. Philip spent a month in hospital earlier this year before being released on March 16 to return to Windsor Castle. Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, married Elizabeth in 1947 and was the longest-serving consort in British history.
(AP)
Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Royal Navy for 12 years and maintained close links with the armed forces throughout his life. Military personnel will play a huge role in honoring him Saturday despite the turnout limit.
Members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army plan to participate in the funeral procession. Philip’s crate is carried to St. George’s Chapel on a specially modified Land Rover, which he designed himself.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.