PRINCE Andrew has made a rare public appearance as he joined the King and Queen at Windsor Castle for the traditional Easter Sunday service.
The Duke of York, who has been ushered into the royal background for years, was snapped heading into St George’s Chapel this morning alongside Charles and Camilla.
The last public event he attended was the same Easter service last year.
Prince William and Princess Kate were not, however, in attendance today – and there’s a key reason.
Andrew’s appearance comes after doubts were cast over his sex accuser Virginia Giuffre’s historic allegations in light of her recent bizarre “four days to live” claims.
Andrew had missed the royal family’s traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham in December amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy.
There’s no suggestion, however, the duke has been welcomed back into the fold.
His mum Queen Elizabeth forced him to step away as a working royal following his car crash Newsnight interview in 2019.
During the infamous chat, he claimed to have never met Ms Giuffre – a trafficking victim of billionaire paedo and Andrew’s friend Jeffrey Epstein – despite a photo appearing to show them together in 2001.
The royal, 65, later agreed a multi-million pound out of court settlement with his accuser – however, this was not an indication of guilt and he has always denied her allegations.
Fergie’s back again
The duke’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was also in attendance at the church, after making her return to the service last year – to the surprise of many royal fans.
It was the first time the Duchess of York had attended since she divorced Andrew in 1996.
Andrew and Fergie arrived together with Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Andrew quickly entered the chapel ahead of his sister, as she spoke with the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev Christopher Cocksworth outside.
Charles and Camilla waved and smiled at crowds who were gathered outside the chapel.
‘Only a matter of time’
Royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun he thinks Andrew will believe it’s “only a matter of time” before he is welcomed back as a working royal.
Mr Dampier said “it’s not a total surprise” the duke was involved today because his family doesn’t want to “ostracise” him from religious gatherings – and he’s sure he will return for Christmas at Sandringham this year.
Referring to the King, he said Andrew is “still his brother, he loves him and he doesn’t want him to be completely outcast”.
He added: “It was very much a show of family unity. He’s not totally out in the cold, but I think it’s too early to say it’s any kind of comeback for him.”
However, Mr Dampier went on to say “privately” Andrew is desperate to return as a working member of the Firm and likely feels Ms Giuffre’s latest claims “slightly vindicates him”.
“I think he feels it’s a matter of time,” he said, but added: “I just feel that I’m afraid it’s gone too far. I don’t think the public would accept him coming back to doing any royal duties.”
Mr Dampier went on to say he does not believe William and Kate “were staying away” because Andrew was going to be at the service.
“But it is absolutely true to say that William is one of the driving forces behind making sure that there is no future for for the Duke of York,” he said.
“He doesn’t believe he can make a comeback, and there is, I’m told, quite a lot of friction between them.
“It made it a lot easier, I think, for Andrew today that William wasn’t there.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are instead celebrating the occasion with their kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, in Norfolk.
The royal couple skipped last year’s Easter service too, as Princess Kate was undergoing cancer treatment.
What are Wills and Kate doing for Easter?
By Becky Pemberton
The Prince and Princess of Wales will celebrate Easter Sunday with their kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, in Norfolk.
The royal couple skipped last year’s Easter service too, as Kate was undergoing cancer treatment.
William and Kate are likely to spend Easter at their countryside home, Anmer Hall, with their three kids, who are on their holidays from Lambrook School.
A source close to the family told The Mirror: “They are choosing to spend time together as a family before the children go back to school.”
Royal insiders have claimed that Kate, 43, who is now in remission, and husband Prince William, 42, are happier than ever after their tough 2024.
A source told Closer that the future king is ramping up the romance with his wife.
They claimed: “William has been incredibly supportive through Kate’s cancer battle – he’s really proven himself to be a remarkable partner when the going gets tough.
“His big focus has been on making the most of their time and this second chance at life together.
“That means more romantic dinners, more long walks and more holidays. They’re mapping out summer plans right now, with the usual family trips to Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly, but they’re also looking to take a romantic hideaway holiday just the two of them, and even talking about going back to the Seychelles where they honeymooned.”
King Charles did a special Easter visit last week to Durham Cathedral for the Maundy Thursday service.
As he met with royal watchers, he joked it was “all mirrors” when someone said he was looking well.
Pat Johnson, 54, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, attracted Charles’s attention after bringing 18-month-old Pembroke corgi called Lilibet to the stand outside the service.
She said afterwards: “He asked if she was friendly and he asked me what her name was.
“I said I named I named her after your mother and said ‘you look well and he said ‘you are very kind but it’s all mirrors.'”
Charles, who is continuing to have cancer treatment more than a year after his diagnosis, had earlier issued his Easter message saying “love” is the greatest virtue.
The King wrote: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness.
“This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.
“There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.
