Royal watchers fuming over Prince Andrew in military uniform at Queen’s vigil

The internet has erupted with fury over a decision to lift a Queen-directed ban on Prince Andrew, which allowed the royal to wear his military uniform at a vigil overnight.

Queen Elizabeth II’s four children held a vigil over the late monarch’s coffin overnight, where Prince Andrew was seen wearing military uniform for the first time since he was stripped of his honours.

King Charles III, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew visited Her Majesty’s coffin at 7.30pm on Friday, local time, where it’s lying in state at Westminster Hall.

The ‘Vigil of Princes’ saw the four royals stop for 15 minutes of quiet reflection as they stood at each corner of the oak coffin and bowed their heads in honour of their mother, who died “peacefully” on September 8 at Balmoral Castle.

But the emotional scene has been marred by intense backlash over Charles’ decision to temporarily lift a ban on Andrew, which allowed the disgraced prince to wear military uniform and medals for the occasion.

King Charles lll, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attend a vigil, following the death of Queen Elizabeth ll, inside Westminster Hall on September 16. Picture: Daniel Leal – WPA Pool / Getty Images

In January, the Queen stripped her son, 62, of his military honours and royal patronages in the wake of sexual assault allegations brought against him, as well as questions over his links to late US paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Royal watchers flooded social media to express their fury over the decision to allow Andrew to wear the honourable attire.

I’m referring to (a disgraced) Prince Andrew wearing his uniform - If they (The Royal family) stand to serve the people, then why on earth is he allowed to wear his uniform. Surely the act goes against everything the queen ever stood for. https://t.co/wNyKXRz25b

— Petra Kenny (@kenny_petra) September 17, 2022

I’m sorry but allowing Prince Andrew to wear his military uniform after the allegations s against him no matter what the circumstances is appalling. The Queen herself stripped them because he did not deserve to represent the military. Shame on the family for ignoring that.

— Elizabeth Demaret (@Efrancydemaret) September 17, 2022

Prince Andrew is allowed to wear the uniform?

— Jadesola (@JadeJadeA) September 16, 2022

I'm surprised that Prince Andrew is wearing his military uniform. I thought he's not allowed at all coz of his issues and controversies that disgraced the Royal Family 😬 https://t.co/zP3CaixQWt

— Binibining Irene🐵🐳 (@SarinaKogaaa_02) September 16, 2022

Watching the news... how is it possible that Prince Andrew has been allowed to wear his military uniform and Prince Harry wasn't. This is a rhetorical question but it's disgraceful. The monarchy is so frivolous and inconsistent.

— Laura Homar (@lahomar) September 16, 2022

When Andrew was stripped of his royal honours, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen.

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

Andrew, a former Royal navy helicopter pilot who flew in the 1982 Falklands War, was accused of sexually assaulting US-Australian woman Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.

The Duke of York strongly has strongly denied the claims and has never faced any criminal charges.

Ms Giuffre, now 39, alleged disgraced financier Epstein lent her out for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates.

Andrew, who was forced to step back from royal duties in late 2019 following his infamous TV interview with BBC, was earlier this year gearing up for a high-profile court battle in the US but settled the lawsuit privately for an undisclosed sum in mid-February.

The Duke of York seen at a vigil for his mother, Her Majesty the Queen, on Friday night. Picture: Hannah Mckay – WPA Pool / Getty Images

Andre’s daughters Princess Eugenie (centre) and Princess Beatrice (right), along with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, also attended the vigil. Picture: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry, who stepped down as a senior royal in late 2020 alongside his wife Meghan Markle, gave up his HRH (His Royal Highness) honorific and was also under a similar ban.

However, the 37-year-old Duke of Sussex has also been granted the right to wear his military uniform for a vigil with the Queen’s grandchildren on Saturday night, local time.

Harry and Andrew will also be able to don military attire at the Queen’s funeral on Monday.