Queen Elizabeth ‘increasingly concerned’ about Prince Andrew as sources insist royal drama erupts: expert

Prince Andrew was notably absent from Monday’s Order of the Garter, one of the oldest royal traditions.

The Duke of York, who is a Knight of the Order of the Garter, did not appear in the public procession or any public aspect of the ceremony, despite appearing in the official programme.

Royal expert Neil Sean told Fox News Digital that Queen Elizabeth is “increasingly concerned” about her son, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019 due to his scandal involving the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“I was told the Queen was increasingly concerned about the welfare and state of mind of her son Andrew and, in particular, that he needed focus, something to look forward to. “, explained Sean. “Naturally any mother/monarch or not would have those feelings.”

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“He spent most afternoons in the company of the Queen at Windsor to pass the hours of what was once a busy and active Duke,” he explained. “[This is] how the original invite became… Andrew, who missed platinum jubilee celebrations after testing positive for COVID, would be keen to return to his royal duties and this seemed like the perfect way to do it.

According to Sean, it was Andrew who balked at making a public appearance, knowing the tabloids would quickly pounce upon his arrival.

“He feels this should be reinstated and his position recognized and respected,” Sean said. “But very quietly and without fuss, he personally rescinded the Queen’s kind gesture so as not to create… a bad feeling among her family members. After all, it was a huge event for Camilla who, in as Duchess of Cornwall, was installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter.”

“Andrew was also wise enough to know that if he attended, the focus on her would be removed,” Sean explained. “He has a good, strong friendship with Camilla, who has been beyond kind, compassionate and understanding throughout this debacle… The real story is this: he quietly and without fuss agreed to step down from the day out of the garter and sat down and allowed the press to rough him up once more.All the while, his mother the Queen is waiting to see how her second son will cope with his new life away from royal circles.

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Sean pointed out that the queen isn’t the only supporting figure in Andrew’s life. He shared that his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have maintained a strong bond as a family.

“Andrew again retired to the background simply [because] he wants to do what’s right for the monarch and more so for his mother the queen,” Sean said. “But that’s not a big headline, is it?”

Several royal experts insisted there were other factors at play surrounding the 62-year-old’s absence.

Omid Scobie, royal editor of Harper’s Bazaar and co-author of ‘Finding Freedom’, has revealed the Duke of York’s so-called public comeback has been put on hold after a last-minute ‘family decision’.

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“After what Palace sources described as a last minute ‘family decision’, Prince Andrew will no longer take part in today’s Garter Day procession or service,” Scobie tweeted. “As a Knight of the Garter he will always be at the Investiture and Luncheon which will take place at Windsor (as will the Queen).”

In a separate tweet, Scobie shared the previously printed order of service, which listed Andrew.

“Interesting how close to the wire Andrew’s removal from the Garter Day procession was,” Scobie wrote. “His name is still on the order of service that was handed out for today’s ceremony.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The Guardian reported that Andrew, as Knight Garter, would attend the investiture of new members and the annual luncheon, keeping his appearance out of public view.

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Vanity Fair royal correspondent Katie Nicholl claimed it was Andrew’s brother Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, who cut short his planned public appearance.

“During the service, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was inducted as Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter, the highest honor the Queen can bestow on a female member of the family,” she said. written for the media. “It is, according to friends of Camilla, the only title the Duchess has secretly wanted and was delighted to receive.”

“Prince Charles was keen that his wife’s big moment would not be overshadowed by his brother, and Vanity Fair has learned that he is particularly reluctant to have his brother attend the service and does not want Andrew to return to official commitments,” continued Nicholl. “The situation with the disgraced Duke has caused tension behind the scenes as Andrew is reportedly keen to return to public duties now that he believes he has cleared his name.”

Nicholl asserted that Charles and his son Williamwho is second in line, is adamant that Andrew cannot resume any public role as he continues to fiercely protect the monarchy.

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“There are tensions because the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge want Andrew to be kept out of any public engagement,” a palace source told Nicholl. “They don’t want him back in public life, period. [Platinum] Jubilee was such a hit and they were all impressed with how well everything turned out. They want to ride that wave of goodwill, not have Andrew and his scandals overshadow the good work the rest of the family is doing.”

A source also told People magazine that Andrew’s withdrawal from the ceremony was a “personal decision” made in consultation with the family.

In March this year, Andrew reached a multi-million pound settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual exploitation. He was stripped of his honorary military titles amid the scandal caused by the allegations.

He did not appear on the palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, which took place during the Platinum Jubilee, marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also did not appear as they stepped back as senior royals in 2020.