Prince Andrew travels to Prince Philip’s memorial with Queen in their car to support their ‘favourite’

PRINCE Andrew was given the lead today as he traveled with the Queen to Prince Philip’s memorial.

the Duke of Yorkoften referred to as his mother’s “favourite son”, set off from Windsor to Westminster Abbey in the monarch’s car.

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Today will be his first public appearance since he paid a £7 million settlement to Virginia Giuffre to drop her civil sexual assault case against him in the United States.

It also shows the Queen’s support for her disgraced son, who has hardly been seen in public since he stepped down from royal life in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

The Queen, 95, arranged today’s service for her late husband.

His congregation includes family, friends, dignitaries and representatives of the many organizations with which the Duke of Edinburgh was associated.

as well as Andrew, Your Majesty will be joined by senior royals such as Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.

The poignant service will also invite royals from across Europe to the ceremony alongside 500 guests from the Duke of Edinburgh’s charities and patrons.

It means Andrew, who was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronage in January, is likely to face representatives from charities and organizations from which he was forced to resign.

Andrew has always denied all allegations against him.

The Duke, who will be wearing a lounge suit rather than a military uniform for the occasion, was absent from Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service earlier this month, which was attended by senior royals.

However, he attended his father’s funeral last April and it’s likely that today’s final goodbye will likely be one of his last public appearances.

Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will be by their father’s side in memory of their grandfather.

Boris and Carrie Johnson will also show their support after the Prime Minister was forced to apologize to the Queen for lockdown busting parties at No10 on the eve of Philip’s reduced funeral.

Some of Philip’s great-grandchildren may also attend the service, but it has not been confirmed which.

It is understood Prince Charles will sit next to his mother during the service after she was left to sit alone at Philip’s funeral in Windsor.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be flying in from the States to honor the Duke amid a dispute over their safety.

PHILIPS WISHES

As part of Philip’s wish, holders of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and members of the UK Cadet Force youth associations will line the steps when the congregation of 1,800 arrive.

The anthem Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer will also be sung after Covid put an end to the King’s funeral wishes.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) will provide rousing music before and after as part of its longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces.

The flowers also have a touching nod to Philip and the Queen’s 73-year marriage, with orchids appearing in their wedding bouquet to bloom in the church.

Prayers are said for the Duke’s “gifts of character, for his humor and resilience, for his steadfastness and devotion to duty”.

Philip has been associated with over 700 charities and organizations and has made 22,200 solo engagements.

The Royal – the longest serving consort of all time – has also stood by the Queen on countless tours and engagements.

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