27 February 2024 , 21:13
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With the King and Prince William pulling out of such an esteemed and solemn event for the royal family, it was entirely predictable that Prince Andrew would put himself front and centre.
While the disgraced Duke of York may have finally, and only recently, resigned himself to the fact he will never find a way back into front line royal duties, perhaps he would do well to take a leaf out of Queen Camilla’s book.
Despite being the most senior royal present at King Constantine’s memorial on Tuesday, Camilla in no way would have wanted her attendance - or lack of her husband’s for that matter - to overshadow proceedings, taking a side door to the chapel in the process.
Yet Andrew was happy to be pictured grinning and smiling on his way to church, in full view of the world’s media.
His lofty appearance in his grand Knight of the Garter robes at the King's coronation last May set the scene for further outings. Seemingly unwilling to fade into the background, as the King and Prince William continue to hope following his very public demise, Andrew even took it upon himself to question royal fans who gathered at Sandringham at Christmas as to why they were gathered filming.
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His refusal to give up his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion when he has no discernible income, despite it being in much need of urgent repair, also speaks volumes of the man who has gone through his royal life with the moniker "the pampered prince".