27 February 2024 , 16:18
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Prince Andrew made a surprise appearance at a huge royal event today after his nephew Prince William pulled out at the last minute due to 'personal reasons'.
The disgraced prince, who has stepped down from public life, attended the King Constantine Memorial Service at Windsor Castle this morning - and a royal expert has weighed in on whether this could mean a return to royal duties. He was joined by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, their daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Mike and Zara Tindall were also there as well as Princess Anne.
Prince William pulled out of the service before calling the Greek royal family to let them know he was unable to be there. Kensington Palace did not elaborate on William's absence but it is understood not to be in relation to the Princess of Wales' continued recovery at home in Windsor from abdominal surgery last month. A source said: "The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well."
The Royal Family arrive at the service this morning (PA)Speaking to Kevin O'Sullivan and Alex Phillips on CrossTalk, TalkTV's Royal Editor Sarah Hewson was asked whether Andrew's presence at the service was a nod to him returning to front-line royal duties. However she firmly shut down any speculation, arguing that the event was for family members.
She said: "It's not going to happen. I think he has maintained that he wants to make a comeback and be a working member of the Royal Family, but it's just not going to happen. It's certainly not going to happen with King Charles on the throne, and it's definitely not going to happen on Prince William's watch as well.
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"They know that the damage has been too great and he's still a member of the family, and that's the line that they draw. He's a member of the family, he's involved in the family events, but we are not going to see him representing the royals on official business.”
Meanwhile, the expert said the Firm would not have wanted the announcement about William to have been made public. "They don't like to let people down at the last minute, and they certainly wouldn't have wanted that public announcement that he'd had to pull out, either because of the questions it stands to raise," she said.
TalkTV's Royal Editor Sarah Hewson has given her insight into Prince William's last minute decision to withdraw from a family event (TALK TV)He was due to deliver a speech at the service, but cancelled one hour before it was due to start. Talking about King Charles and the rest of the royals, Hewson noted: "The King was at Windsor Castle before this event, but he left. He's now returned to Clarence House. He wasn't expected to attend a big event like this, given the treatment that he's undergoing for his cancer at the moment.
"But we see the Queen, Camilla, leading the Royal Family to St George's Chapel for this ceremony. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson also walking down the hill into St George's Chapel, because it's not an official state event, it is a private family event. He, we understand, was invited as a member of the British Royal Family by the Greek Royal Family.
"When Prince William pulls out - and this was his godfather, the second cousin of the King, a close friend of the King, first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. He was his sailing partner. There are very good close ties between these two families, and members of the Royal Family don't like to pull out. They don't like to let people down at the last minute, and they certainly wouldn't have wanted that public announcement that he'd had to pull out, either because of the questions it stands to raise."
Constantine, who died at the age of 82 in January last year, had a close bond with the British royals. He was one of William's six godparents, who also include Lady Susan Hussey and Princess Alexandra, and attended his confirmation in March 1997. He was also the godfather for the daughter of Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Kingston. He was also a close friend of King Charles and William's godfather.
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