EXCLUSIVE: Prince Andrew did not allow his public scandal to prevent 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 stepping down from public duties following his interview with the BBC at the core level in November 2019 regarding his relationship with the infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The 61-year-old, the third of Philip and Queen Elizabeth II’s four children, visited 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 go to and he would always listen.”
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“We almost lost the grandfather of the nation,” Andrew told believers. “And I feel very sorry and support my mother, who probably feels it more than anyone.”
Andrew added that the queen (94) described it as a major void in her life.
“But we, the family, those close to her, pull together to make sure we are there to support her,” he remarks.
True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen said he was not surprised the scandalous prince spoke out 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, look at the airport over the Mall of the British and American World War 11 aircraft from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on 10 July 2005.
(Photo by Anwar Hussein / Getty Images)
“I understand that the palace was surprised by Prince Andrew who spoke to the cameras, because he obviously keeps an incredibly low profile,” he claims.
The award-winning documentary has been making programs about the royal family for almost 20 years and has been working with Andrew’s eldest brother, Prince Charles, for eight years.
The Prince of Wales (72) is the next throne.
“That said, it was Andrew’s father who died,” Bullen shared. “It was a personal statement from a boy about the loss of his father. So I personally think he should be allowed to speak. It was not an official role. He attended a private church service and the question was asked how he felt he would lose 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 disgraceful financier passed away in 2019 at the age of 66.
(Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
In November 2019, Andrew announced that he would retire from public duty “for the foreseeable future” due to his association with the infamous American sex offender.
At the time, Andrew said in a statement that his ties with Epstein had become a “major disruption” to the royal family’s charity work. The prince also said he was willing to help any law enforcement agency with an investigation.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre had earlier claimed Epstein had arranged for her to have sex with several wealthy or notable men, including Andrew. Giuffre said she had sex with the prince three times – in London and in Epstein’s New York mansion when she was 17 and in the US Virgin Islands when she was 18. He denied the allegations.
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In the 2001 photo taken in court documents, Prince Andrew is shown 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 denied the charges. In the background is Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. (Southern District Court of Florida)
(U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals)
“Yes, people were a little surprised when Prince Andrew spoke them out, but I think that’s a little unfair,” Bullen said. “I think he should be allowed to tell his truth about his father.”
On Thursday, the queen decided that senior royals should wear civilian clothes to Philip’s funeral, defusing the possible tensions over who may wear military uniforms.
This means that Prince Harry will not be the only member of the royal family who is not in uniform during Saturday’s funeral for his grandfather, who passed away on April 9 at the age of 99.
Members of the royal family often wear uniforms for public events based on their honorary roles in the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. But Harry lost his honorary titles when he decided last year to relinquish royal duties up front.
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Prince Harry and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attend the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on 10 November 2016 in London, England.
((Photo by Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images))
Consequently, the protocol indicates that Andrew’s nephew, a veteran of the army who served two duties in Afghanistan, may only wear a suit with medals at royal functions, reports the British Press Association.
The decision also bypassed another possible controversy after reports that Andrew was considering wearing an admiral uniform at his father’s funeral. Andrew retains his military titles even though he is forced to relinquish royal duties.
The funeral is expected to take place in Windsor Castle on Saturday, with attendance limited to 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
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In this June 8, 1948 file photo, the Duke of Edinburgh, alongside Princess Elizabeth, acknowledges the cheers of the crowd as the open Landau passes through Fleet Street on its way to the Guildhall in London. According to Buckingham Palace officials, Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died, was announced on April 9, 2021. He was 99 years old. 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 company in British history.
(AP)
Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Royal Navy for 12 years and maintained close ties with the military throughout his life. Military personnel will play a major role in honoring him on Saturday despite the attendance limit.
Members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Royal Air Force and the British Army plan to take part in the funeral procession. Philip’s coffin will be on a specially adapted Land Rover to the St. George Chapel, which he designed himself.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.