Prince Andrew Barred Again from Order of the Garter Public Procession Amid Royal Controversies
Prince Andrew has been barred from participating in the public procession of the annual Order of the Garter Day at Windsor Castle for the third consecutive year, as confirmed by insiders. This decision reflects King Charles and Prince William’s ongoing efforts to minimize the Duke of York’s public presence due to his contentious past associations.
Despite being a Garter Knight since 2006, Prince Andrew’s role in the public ceremonies of this prestigious event, held on June 17, has been curtailed. “He won’t be there. There’s a precedent in place now and they don’t want to give him a platform,” a source told the Daily Express. His exclusion underscores the Royal Family’s cautious approach to managing public perceptions and avoiding controversy.
The Order of the Garter Day is a significant event in the royal calendar, featuring a ceremonial procession where members don their traditional regalia and walk from the State Apartments to St George’s Chapel. While the King and Queen will lead the event, Prince Andrew will only participate in private aspects like the investiture and luncheon.
The decision to keep him out of the public eye during such events follows his step back from active royal duties in 2019 amidst allegations linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Although he has denied claims of sexual misconduct made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the fallout led to his removal from public royal duties and the relinquishment of his military titles and HRH status in early 2022.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, the event will spotlight the introduction of new Companions of the Order, including notable figures such as composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber and the Duchess of Gloucester. Other distinguished inductees include Lord Kakkar and Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, recognized for their contributions to medicine and military service, respectively.
The day, rich in pageantry and tradition, will also see the royal family engaging with the public post-ceremony, a moment anticipated by royal watchers and supporters. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, will not attend the event, focusing instead on her health and recovery. Her recent statement expressed a cautious optimism about participating in future public engagements, highlighting the personal challenges faced by the royal family amidst their public duties.