Prince Andrew Prince Andrew ‘crushed, confused’ after Prince William’s ban

The Duke of York has been left reeling after Prince William banned him from Garter Day amid anger over his comeback plans.

Prince Andrew was left “crushed and confused” after he was banned from attending the Order of the Garter Day service, Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie has claimed.

The Duke of York, 62, was not seen in public during the ceremony at Windsor Castle, one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar.

Prince Andrew drives from his Royal Lodge home to Windsor Castle on the day of the Garter service. Picture: MEGA

It came after Prince William reportedly threatened to pull out of the annual Garter Day procession if his disgraced uncle was allowed to take part.

The Duke of Cambridge was said to be “so alarmed” at the prospect of Prince Andrew taking part in one of the royal family’s oldest traditions that he made it clear that unless the Duke of York was dropped, he would not be taking part.

The Queen pictured with Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, ahead of the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle. Picture: Twitter/The Royal Family

The decision was clearly taken at the 11th hour, because Andrew’s name was on the order of service.

Scobie said the monarchy’s ”reluctance to completely remove Prince Andrew from all aspects of royal life” is “damaging” and “reflects terribly on the family”.

A senior source told the London Evening Standard: “The Duke of Cambridge was adamant. If York insisted on taking part publicly, he would withdraw. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the claims.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrives at St George’s Chapel to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony in Windsor Castle. Picture: Chris Jackson

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stuns in blue at the colourful event. Picture: Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge outside the chapel. Picture: Toby Melville /Getty Images

Prince William reportedly threatened to miss the service if Prince Andrew attended. Picture: Ben Stansall / POOL / AFP

The 96-year-old Queen attended some of the private elements of the event and posed for a photograph with Prince Charles and Camilla.

The Duke of York attended a private lunch and ceremony investing new members of the Order of the Garter, Buckingham Palace said.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who became a member of the Order of the Garter. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, shares a laugh with the Cambridges. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend the Order Of The Garter Service. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, cuts a chic figure in her elegant outfit. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Omid Scobie, royal editor-at-large for Harper’s Bazaar and co-author of Finding Freedom, revealed that the disgraced Duke of York’s so-called public comeback was put on ice at the last-minute.

“After what palace sources have described as a last-minute ‘family decision,’ Prince Andrew will no longer be walking in today’s Garter Day procession or service,” Scobie tweeted.

“As a Knight of the Garter, he will still be at the investiture and lunch taking place in Windsor (as will the Queen).”

Prince William with his father and the Duchess of Cornwall. Picture: Toby Melville - WPA Pool / Getty Images

In a separate tweet, Scobie shared the already-printed Order of Service, which listed Andrew

The Queen was at the event for the formal investiture of the new Garter knights which included Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Sir Tony Blair, the former British prime minister.

The Duchess of Cambridge stunned at the colourful event in a stunning coat dress and matching Juliette Botterill hat as she joined fellow royals including Prince Charles and the Wessexes for the occasion.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex also dazzled onlookers in an elegant pink dress by Valentino.

Prince Charles and Prince William, who reportedly threatened to cancel. Picture: Toby Melville / Getty Images

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Picture: Matt Dunham/ Getty Images

Princess Anne, and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence at St George's Chapel, in Windsor. Picture: Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP

Each year, members of the order - which has up to 24 people plus “royal companions” - gather at Windsor Castle for a colourful ceremony with music, pageantry, elaborate uniforms and a parade.

Members wear velvet robes, plumed hats and the insignia of the medieval order of chivalry.

The order, instituted by Edward III, originated from medieval chivalry and senior figures around a monarch. According to Buckingham Palace, the current purpose is to “honour those who have undertaken public service, who have contributed in a particular way to national life”.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Blair. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The children of Tony Blair — Kathryn, Euan and Nicky — attend the service. Picture: TobyMelville/Getty

Outside Windsor Castle, meanwhile, protesters greeted Britain’s former prime minister Sir Tony Blair as he arrived at the event Blair was appointed to the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry as a Knight Companion, but protesters chanted “Tony Blair war criminal” over his role in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Kate Middleton smiles at her husband Prince William at the service today. Picture: Chris Jackson / AFP.

Sir Tony walked to the event with Britain’s first black cabinet member Valerie Amos, who became the first black person appointed to the order.

The Queen is still close to Prince Andrew. Picture: Getty

The Queen had to tell Prince Andrew to stay away from another royal event. Picture: Getty

Prince Andrew earlier this year settled a US civil case for sexual assault brought by an Australian-based woman who claimed Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her for sex.

He claimed never to have met her. Seeking to limit the reputational damage to the monarchy, he was stripped of his honorary military titles, effectively giving him no frontline royal role.

In late March, there was widespread public disapproval that he accompanied his ailing mother to her seat for the memorial service of her late husband Prince Philip.

Prince Charles and Prince William urged The Queen to say no to Prince Andrew. Picture: Getty

That prompted speculation he was angling for a return to duties, including at the recent public festivities for her record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

But Andrew withdrew, officially due to catching Covid, and played no public part in the four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Originally published as Prince Andrew Prince Andrew ‘crushed, confused’ after Prince William’s ban