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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Amy-Clare Martin & Laura Sharman

Prince Andrew to join Queen and senior royals for Garter Day in return to spotlight

Prince Andrew is set to appear alongside the Queen for Garter Day in a return to the royal spotlight.

The Duke of York will join Her Majesty and other senior members of the royal family for the ceremony at Windsor Castle.

He will also be listed in the next day's Court Circular and attend in a private capacity as a Royal Knight.

The Duke of York was stripped of his military titles and agreed to no longer use HRH in January, amid his involvement in a civil sex abuse case with a victim of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

His lawyers concluded the case with a multimillion pound settlement with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, although he denied any wrongdoing.

His involvement with public royal events has been mired in controversy ever since.

He was accused of casting a shadow over the Duke of Edinburgh's service of thanksgiving in March, when he helped the Queen to her seat.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour in 2019 (Getty Images)

Garter Day is one of the highlights of the Royal family's calendar and will be held on June 13 for the first time in three years.

A source told The Telegraph that Andrew’s inclusion in the Court Circular is “standard practice”.

However, there are fears that his attendance could overshadow celebrations and bring unwanted controversy to the event.

The Order of the Garter is "a group of honourable knights" described as "the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain."

It was created by King Edward III in 1348, who was fascinated with the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

The Queen is sovereign of the order and appoints Knights of the Garter without input from ministers, meaning that Prince Andrew's appointment was considered as private.

Hundreds are expected to gather to watch the June procession as Garter Knights pass through the grounds at Windsor Castle.

Knights will be dressed in plumed hats and decorative velvet robes, accompanied by military units.

The Queen is unlikely to wear the heavy robes if she were to join the procession to St George’s Chapel before a short service.

And those accompanying the Monarch would follow suit.

The Duchess of Cornwall will also be among those invited to the ceremony, reflecting her growing importance in the Royal family.

Camilla became the first Royal Companion since Prince William in 2008, when she was admitted into the ancient order.

She will be among seven other senior members of the royal family including Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

The Queen is said to be likely to attend the ceremony in the Garter throne room and lunch in the Waterloo Chamber, health permitting.

However she may skip the public procession and church service because of her recent mobility issues.

The Mirror Online has contacted Prince Andrew's representatives for comment.

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