Disgraced Prince Andrew has been accused by his fellow royals of worming his way back in to the limelight by manipulating his position, a source reveals.
Having paid off his accuser Virgin Giuffre with a reported £12million just three weeks ago, his brother Prince Charles and nephew Prince William had made their opinions clear to the Queen, over Andrew's role in Prince Phillip's memorial.
They did not want Andrew to be the one to accompany Her Majesty into the service on Tuesday, and reportedly spoke to her more than once to raise their concerns.
The Queen went ahead and her so-called favourite son was the one seen across the world helping her along the aisle at Westminster Abbey, as the service was broadcast live on the BBC.
The two heirs to the throne were said to have been “shocked” and dismayed” as Andrew emerged front and centre.
A source close to the Palace told the Mirror: "[Andrew] was straight out the blocks in front of the cameras when the Duke of Edinburgh died, which was seen within the family as being completely inappropriate.
“Now this situation has unfolded, a fair few hold the view that he is manipulating his position for his own gains.
“The Duke of York’s reputation precedes him and he’s made no secret that he’s not ready to fade away into the background, as much as everyone may want him to.”
While a source close to Andrew added: “In his mind the situation with the allegations and the court case is firmly closed.
“There is no case to answer, he settled for the good of the family and that’s that.
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“He’s very much of the view that he is a young man and has plenty to offer.
“He’s not going to just sit at home and do nothing until the end of his days.”
Andrew has spent a considerable amount of time with the ailing 95-year-old monarch, who has suffered from a series of health problems in recent months as well as recovering from Covid.
The Duke of York, who lives on the Windsor estate, has also been ever present at his mother’s Windsor Castle home after the death of her beloved husband Prince Philip, who died last April aged 99.
It is believed he still holds ambitions of staging an unlikely return to front line royal duties, despite being banished being stripped of all his royal titles over Ms Giuffre's allegations that he sexually assaulted her in 2001, when she was a 17-year-old former sex slave of his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein..
Andrew has always strenuously denied the allegations.
