Camilla replaces Andrew in Trooping the Colour birthday parade after prince forced to step down

Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen Consort will take over a key role of Prince Andrew’s, in what one source described as “the final of final nails”.

The Queen Consort will take over Prince Andrew’s role in the Trooping the Colour.

Disgraced Andrew, 62, was forced to step down as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards when he was fired from royal duty by the late Queen as he paid out millions to Epstein sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Buckingham Palace last night announced Camilla, 75, has taken on the colonelcy ending months of speculation, The Sun reports.

“There have been many nails in the Duke of York’s coffin and any deeply-desired wish to return to public duty but this is, without doubt, the final of final nails,” a source said.

In a major reshuffle of military titles, the Princess of Wales, 40, has been named Colonel of the Irish Guards, taking over from her husband William after eleven years.

The Prince of Wales, 40, replaces Charles and is named Colonel of the Welsh Guards.

Stay up to date with the latest news on the British Royals with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

Princess Anne and Prince Andrew leaves after attending the vigil in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles Cathedral on September 12, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Andrew — who saw active service in the Falklands War — took on the colonelcy from his father the Duke of Edinburgh in 1975.

His honorary military title was held “in abeyance” when he stepped aside from public duties after his car-crash Newsnight Jeffrey Epstein interview in late 2019.

The announcement comes six months ahead of Trooping the Colour, when royals will appear at Horseguards Parade for the King’s first Birthday Parade.

Trooping the Colour has also been moved from its traditional slot on the second weekend of June to the third of the month and will fall on Saturday 17.

The Queen Consort and Princess of Wales are not expected to appear on horseback or in uniform at Trooping.

Sources close to Camilla say the “senior” post was chosen as it has previously been held by consorts and sits in rank directly below the King.

The Queen Consort takes her appointment “very seriously” and is “delighted” with the prospect of developing her relationship with the regiment, sources say.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort depart after the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 15, 2022 in London, England. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

But Camilla has never formally served in any military role.

Her father Bruce Shand was a highly decorated soldier of the Second World War and ex-husband Major Andrew Parker Bowles served as a squadron leader in the Household Cavalry.

A palace spokesman refused to say when Andrew had been told of the appointment or his immediate reaction.

Former Grenadier Guards blasted the scandal-hit Duke of York this summer for continuing to wear his Grenadier Guards cypher while horseriding near his £30 million ($54 million) 31-room mansion at Royal Lodge.

Despite his disgrace and ceremonial role held in abeyance Andrew still managed to attend a conference with Colonels of the Household Division hosted by Prince Charles at St James’s Palace in 2021.

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse in London on March 13, 2001 Picture: Florida Southern District Court/Supplied

The Grenadier Guards greeted news Prince Andrew lost his honorary role as their colonel with “three cheers” for the Queen, in January.

In their announcement, the palace said The Prince of Wales is taking over as Regimental Colonel of Welsh Guards from King Charles who served from 1975 until he became King in September 2022

Princess of Wales takes over as Regimental Colonel of Irish Guards from Prince William who served from February 2011 until he became Prince of Wales in September 2022

The Queen Consort is taking over from Andrew who served as Regimental Colonel of Grenadier Guards from 2017.

The Duke of Edinburgh held the post from 1975 until he retired and it was held for one year by the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1942

Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert also held the post for nine years.

Members of the public process down the Mall during Trooping The Colour on June 2, 2022 in London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

As monarch, King Charles III will hold the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of all of the Regiments of the Household Division.

Each Regiment traditionally has a Colonel who is normally either a member of the Royal Family or a senior officer.

The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.

It will boast more than 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians.

The parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

The pomp and ceremony close with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission