Prince Andrew won't have a ceremonial role in King Charles' coronation

Prince Andrew will not have a ceremonial role in King Charles’ coronation because he is not a working royal

  • The King feels it would not be appropriate to include him in an official position
  • Andrew is still a Knight of the Garter, the ancient order of chivalry 
  • He was forced to step back from Royal duties in 2019 over alleged sex abuse

The Duke of York will have no ceremonial role at the Coronation because he is not a working member of the Royal family, The Mail on Sunday understands.

Discussions are taking place behind the scenes about what role – if any – Prince Andrew might perform during the Coronation.

The King is said to feel it would not be appropriate to include him in an official position.

Andrew is still a Knight of the Garter, the ancient order of chivalry dating back to 1348, and, traditionally, Garter Knights have performed significant roles during Coronation ceremonies.

When the late Queen was crowned in 1953, four Knights of the Garter were chosen to support her majesty by standing at the four corners of the Coronation Chair during the anointing.

Prince Andrew will have no ceremonial role at the Coronation because he is not a working member of the Royal family as it would not be appropriate to include him in an official position

Some have suggested that Prince William and the King’s three siblings – Anne, Andrew and Edward – could perform the job.

But last night sources close to the Palace dismissed the idea that Andrew could play such a symbolic part. Nor will he be invited to stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with other members of the family during the Coronation celebrations.

It is unclear whether Andrew will even be permitted to wear his garter robes for the Coronation.

He was forced to step back from Royal duties in November 2019 over alleged sex abuse, but has always strongly denied the claims, made in a US civil court case.

The Mail on Sunday reported last month that he is now considering trying to overturn a multi-million-pound settlement he made with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

The furore surrounding the case led to him being stripped of his honorary military titles, and any return to public life seems impossible.

Despite remaining a Garter Knight, Andrew was banned from last year’s annual public procession. 

Instead, he joined other Garter Knights for the private part of the day. His private office did not reply to a request for comment, and Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The Duke of York is still a Knight of the Garter, the ancient order of chivalry dating back to 1348, but it is unclear whether he will be permitted to wear his garter robes for the Coronation

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