Prince Andrew’s participation in the event was a real “PR disaster” for the monarch’s family and significantly undermined its reputation, according to royal expert Russell Myers
Prince Andrew lost his royal titles before reaching a settlement in a civil sexual assault case, so many Royal family fans and journalists were surprised when he accompanied Elizabeth II at a memorial service honoring Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey.
Many of the attendees were surprised when Andrew took a front-row seat at the event.
Russell Myers recounted how events unfolded: “There were rumors that Prince Andrew was going to get in the car with the queen and set off from Windsor. I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone because they live almost next door to each other. However, when they got to the Abbey and Andrew took his mother to the church in person, a lot of people raised their eyebrows in surprise.
“If you look closely at the minutes of the service, Andrew should have been seated with his daughters behind Queen Beatrix, but he ended upfront and center,” the expert notes.
Note that many experts were certain that Elizabeth II would be accompanied in the church by her daughter, Princess Anne, but in no way by Prince Andrew, who is still reeling from legal proceedings over allegations of rape of minor Virginia Giuffre.