Prince Andrew accompanied the royal family to a service of thanksgiving for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle today – a move that proves he is “back in the loop.”
After being excluded from his royal duties and stripped of his royal highness and military titles by his mother the Queen two years ago, the Duke of York led The Firm in a celebration of the life of the last king of Greece.
And in another incredible turn of events, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was at his side as they marched into St George's Chapel this morning, followed by their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.
Andrew was at the center of events as King Charles took a break from royal duties due to his cancer and Prince William missed the service for “personal reasons”.
Queen Camilla arrived separately, meaning Queen Elizabeth II's second-born son Andrew led the other royals, including Princess Anne
A royal observer told Web: “Prince Andrew and the Yorks are firmly back in league.”
The Prince of Wales is said to have called the family to apologize, while Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess is “doing well” as she recovers at home.
But the Duke of York was pictured leading the groomsmen in a rare public appearance as mourners arrived for the service.
Behind Prince Andrew was Sarah, the Duchess of York, followed by Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne.
Prince Andrew was seen leading members of the royal family at a service of thanksgiving at Windsor Castle for the late King Constantine of Greece
Behind Prince Andrew was Sarah, Duchess of York, followed by Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive this morning
Prince Andrew was seen leading members of the royal family at a service of thanksgiving at Windsor Castle for the late King Constantine of Greece
Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady of Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal and Queen Camilla, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal and Queen Camilla sat in the front row
Queen Camilla is greeted as she attends the service of thanksgiving this morning
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the service at Windsor Castle today
Zara Tindall attends a service of thanksgiving for King Constantine in Windsor today
Although other key royals were absent, Prince Andrew was accompanied by Queen Camilla, who appeared to be grinning as she arrived at the castle this morning and was greeted at the door.
She smiled warmly at the people gathered before entering the venue and observing a solemn and dignified silence.
They will be joined by the late king's widow, Queen Anne-Marie, her eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos and other members of the Greek royal family for the service in the nave of the 15th-century chapel.
Prince Andrew was in attendance along with Sarah, Duchess of York and his daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice as it was a personal family event.
It is also understood that the Duke of York attended the service as a member of the British royal family and was invited by the Greek royal family.
Instead of the Prince of Wales, Constantine's eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos, stepped forward to give the reading.
King Charles was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day but left before the service began – and the reception was due to be hosted by Camilla afterwards.
Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal visit St. George's Chapel
Prince Andrew; Sarah, Duchess of York; and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence at St. George's Chapel, Windsor
Princess Michael of Kent (left) and Prince Michael of Kent attend the service
Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal attend the service at Windsor Castle today
Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and Princess Catherine of Serbia
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Thomas Hooper and Lady Alexandra Hooper arrive at the service of thanksgiving for King Constantine at St George's Chapel today
Charles was unable to attend Constantine's funeral in Athens last year because of commitments that included a meeting with the president of Cyprus. The Princess Royal represented him at the service.
Camilla's role in military service will see her take the reins again and work to take the pressure off her husband.
Members of the royal family have gathered around the king, and Prince William returns to his duties after caring for his wife Princess Kate.
Charles' deep sense of duty and strong work ethic led him to continue working privately during treatment.
Today's service in St. George's Chapel was held in honor of the King's close friend and second cousin, Constantine II, the former ruler and last King of Greece.
The king reportedly sought spiritual advice from his friend Archimandrite Ephraim, abbot of the Greek Orthodox Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.
Abbot Ephraim is reported to have told Greek media: “Yes, he has been in contact since the diagnosis and I believe he will overcome it. “Charles has a spiritual sophistication, a spiritual life.”
Charles, 75, was diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer just over two weeks ago. He will not perform any public duties during his treatment.
Constantine was a first cousin and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh and died in January last year aged 82, decades after he was deposed from the throne in a military coup.
The king became close friends with Constantine and chose him as godfather to his son William, now Prince of Wales.
The former king was also godfather to the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Kingston.
King Constantine visits Sandringham church with Charles and Camilla in 2007
Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece (center left) and Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark (center right) carry the coffin of King Constantine II during a funeral in Tatoi in 2023
King Constantine (left) pictured after confirming Prince William as one of his godparents
Prince William and Kate Middleton with King Constantine at Windsor Castle in 2012
King Constantine II and Queen Elizabeth II at Wellington College in Berkshire in 2011
Constantine, who died in an Athens hospital, came to the throne in 1964 at the age of 23.
The young king, who had won Olympic gold in sailing, initially enjoyed great popularity.
The following year, he lost much of this support through his active involvement in the machinations that led to the overthrow of the popularly elected Center Union government of Prime Minister George Papandreou.
The incident, still widely known in Greece as the “apostasy,” or defection of several politicians from the ruling party, destabilized the constitutional order and led to a military coup in 1967.
Constantine eventually came into conflict with the military rulers and was forced into exile.
The dictatorship abolished the monarchy in 1973 and a referendum following the restoration of democracy in 1974 dashed all of Constantine's hopes of reigning again.
He lived in exile in the north London suburb of Hampstead Garden for many years before returning to his home country in 2013.