Prince Andrew gets nod of recognition from Queen at his father’s funeral

Prince Andrew has appeared to enjoy a gesture of approval from his mother at the funeral of his father, Prince Philip.

He didn’t get to wear an Admiral’s uniform, but he has proved he is still part of the crew. Prince Andrew got a nod of recognition from his mother at the funeral on Saturday.

Andrew had reportedly requested to wear an Admiral’s uniform to Prince Philip’s funeral, but the Queen had taken control earlier in the week and decreed nobody would be in military dress.

There had been concerns it would not be appropriate for the Duke of York – who had been in the Royal Navy and served in the Falklands War – to dress with such pomp, now that he is no longer a full working royal.

Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture: Getty

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales follow Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's coffin during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture: Getty Images

It would have also been particularly harsh on Prince Harry, who having left his royal duties, is no longer able to dress in his old military uniforms.

Andrew stepped back from royal duties after his disastrous interview with Newsnight about Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 and has not been seen in public much since.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence follow Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's coffin. Picture: Getty

He had been due to be made an Admiral on his 60th birthday last year but it had been arranged for this to be deferred until he returned to full-time royal duties, which he has not done, although he is still keen to do so.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture: Getty

However, he was, naturally, in attendance at his father’s funeral and looked extremely determined as he followed Prince Charles in the procession behind the coffin, from Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel.

He was also seated closest to the Queen for the service, which some insiders thought a nod to him still holding the favourite place in his mother’s heart.

Along the same row was Princess Anne and husband Sir Tim Laurence and next to them, Harry.

The family was seated according to social distancing rules, with only those in the same household able to sit next to each other.