Prince Andrew was coaxed into wearing his military uniform by King Charles III as he joined his siblings for a “last vigil” around his late mother’s coffin while she lay in state at Westminster Hall, reports say.
The Duke of York, 62, arrived for the vigil at Westminster Hall, London, while his mother lay in state in his full uniform with the rest of his siblings after it was said his brother had lifted a ban on him from wearing the outfit .
But Palace sources told the Times that this “out of the blue” order does not refer to Andrew, who was forced to relinquish his HRH status and had all his honorary military degrees stripped earlier this year amid the fallout of his ties to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein as a laborer Royal return.
A Buckingham Palace source said the Charles’ decision to let him wear his uniform for the London vigil but not for the Prince’s ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral or the Queen’s state funeral was an “act of kindness “.
Paying tribute to the monarch, Prince Andrew said on Sunday: “Mom, your love for a son, your compassion, your caring, your trust I will forever cherish.”
Prince Andrew (pictured Friday night) was married by King Charles III. instructed to wear his military uniform as he joined his siblings for a “final vigil” around his late mother’s coffin while she lay in state at Westminster Hall, reports said
King Charles III stands guard next to the coffin of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as she rests on the catafalque in Westminster Hall
Britain’s King Charles III, Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain’s Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive at Westminster Abbey for their mother’s state funeral
As the Queen’s children, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, followed the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall last week, neither the Duke of York nor the Duke of Sussex were wearing their uniforms – instead, dressed in suits.
During a Prince’s Ceremony vigil last Monday at St Giles Cathedral, Prince Andrew did not wear a military uniform as he is no longer a working royal.
However, when Andrew repeated the ceremonial act of “taking guard duty” and surrounding their mother’s coffin with his siblings on Friday night, the Falklands War veteran was allowed to wear his military uniform.
King Charles is believed to have lifted the ban on Andrew’s clothing as “a mark of respect for his mother”.
Prince Andrew was pictured in his military uniform as he arrived at Westminster Hall with his brother Prince Edward to attend a vigil in honor of his mother, the Queen
Princess Anne was also pictured arriving at Westminster Hall with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence
The Queen’s children arrived at Westminster Hall, where they stood silently guarding their mother’s coffin for 10 minutes while the public walked by
Andrew (pictured) joined his siblings at a ceremonial vigil modeled on the princes’ vigil
The King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward stood guard over their mother’s coffin in silence for ten minutes while the public walked by.
Prince Andrew’s ban on wearing a military uniform, where he has opted for a morning suit for public appearances during his mother’s funeral ceremonies, is understood to have been lifted as an exception for the latest vigil in London.
That was probably a relief for the Duke, who was snubbed during a procession in Edinburgh and had to bow his head in celebration while his siblings saluted as they walked behind their late mother’s coffin as it was being transported in a gun carriage.
Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, made history at the final ‘Princes’ Vigil’ at St Giles Cathedral when she became the first female member of the Royal Family to ‘stand vigil’ for the memorial service.
Monday’s “Princes’ Vigil” was the first time the tradition has taken place since 2002.
There have been two such ceremonies in the past: in 1936 at the death of King George V in 1936 and in 2002 during the Queen Mother’s funeral.
The vigil was attended by the king’s four grandsons – King Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Earl of Snowdon.
Prince Andrew, 62, who is no longer a working king, was succeeded by his eldest brother King Charles III. allowed to wear his military uniform while guarding his mother’s coffin
In a statement released on the eve of her funeral, Prince Andrew praised the late monarch for her “endless knowledge and wisdom without limit or restraint”, adding: “I will miss your insights, advice and humour.”
He described the Queen as “Mama, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one” and said it was an “honor and privilege” to serve her.
Andrew accompanied his words with a black-and-white photograph taken by Society photographer Cecil Beaton of his mother holding him as a newborn in March 1960.
The Duke said: “Dear Mama, Mother, Majesty, three in one. Your Majesty, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve you. Mother of the Nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and one of a kind; Your people show their love and respect in so many different ways, and I know that you are keen to honor their respect.
“Mom, your love for a son, your compassion, your caring, your trust I will forever cherish. I have found your knowledge and wisdom to be infinite, with no limits or limitations. I will miss your insights, advice and humor. As our book of experiences closes, another opens and I will forever hold you in my heart with my deepest love and gratitude and I will happily enter the next with you as my guide.
He ended with the words God Save The King – in honor of his brother King Charles, who ascended to the throne after the death of his mother.