Prince Andrew will not attend the commonwealth service on Monday 9, March this year.
Senior members of the royal family will attend the annual event but the Queen’s youngest son will be absent.
Prince Andrew has attended the Westminster Abbey
ceremony on a number of occasions, and last year 2019, Andrew accompanied his mother, the Queen, as she arrived at the service by car.
Prince Andrew stepped down from Royal duties after his alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein whose scandal hasn’t been laid to rest yet.
The royal was expected to comply with the authorities in socking the case but so far hasn’t given the proper audience to the interviews.
As a result of this, issued a statement in November: “I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission. I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
However, the Duke still remains a senior member of the royal family and will continue to attend core royal events, including Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot and Remembrance Sunday, particularly given his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier guards, among other military titles.
Routinely, the Cambridges and Sussexes will be at the service earlier as they await first Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, followed by the Queen.
