It is well known that Prince Andrew does not shy away from the limelight. Even after retiring as a working royal, the 63-year-old likes to appear in public and in front of cameras. Such was the case on Easter Sunday, when Andrew walked alongside his sister, Princess Anne, to the Easter service at St George’s Chapel. He marched directly behind the king. A surprising constellation, after all, Charles is said to have been instrumental in releasing Andrew from all royal duties after his abuse scandal.
The sight caused irritation, especially on social media, the Royal Family supported the disgraced prince. “The Royal Family are standing by Prince Andrew – a year after he paid £12million to a sex trafficking victim he never met. But publicly supporting Meghan Markle, a black woman who has been subjected to racial and misogynistic abuse, is walking a step too far,” tweeted activist Dr. Charlotte Proudman.
Far from the only comparison with Meghan and Harry. “Prince Andrew has paid his alleged victim millions to silence her rather than prove his innocence, enabling him to rally behind the king and his protection. While a man who has his wife and son protected has been placed in a position where he is ridiculed and shunned,” commented one user.
But what does Andrew’s appearance at Easter really mean? He should not have been groundbreaking for the work of the royals. “There is a strict separation between family gatherings and formal occasions and Charles would have felt uncomfortable not inviting Andrew when his two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, were there with their partners,” a source told Page Six.
So there is no way back into royal life for Prince Andrew despite the Easter celebration. King Charles III wants to slim down the monarchy, that has been known for years. Ironically, Andrew, whose popularity ratings have been in the basement for years, should not play a role in the future. And so all that remains for Andrew is private festivities, so that he might show himself in front of a camera again.
What: “Page Six” / Twitter
Also read:
A fateful night at the “Tramp”: What witnesses say about Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts
“He always shamelessly exploited Mom”: Why Prince Andrew’s relationship with the Queen is so special
Meghan and Harry didn’t get any protection. Another already: Prince Andrew
