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Prince Andrew to attend Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service – reports

Prince Andrew is planning to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service, according to reports.

The Duke of York, who recently settled a civil sex claim against him, will be present at the Westminster Abbey event honouring his father on 29 March, according to the Press Association.

It would be his first public appearance since the out-of-court agreement – revealed in court documents in mid-February – was made with his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Large numbers of the Royal Family, including the Queen, are expected to attend next week’s service, alongside Philip’s friends, colleagues, and representatives of organisations he supported.

It was confirmed earlier this month that the Duke of Sussex will miss the event, with a spokesperson for US-based Harry saying he would not return for the high-profile occasion.

He added that he hoped to visit his grandmother, the Queen, soon.

Andrew stepped down from royal duties in November 2019. He attended Philip’s funeral in April 2021.

In January, the Queen stripped her second son of his prestigious honorary military titles and royal patronages, and he stopped using his HRH style, in a move that effectively cast him adrift from the institution.

But it had been thought that any decision around Andrew’s attendance would depend on whether the Queen considers the thanksgiving church service a family event or an official engagement, and how much she and royal aides would be concerned that Andrew’s presence could detract from the proceedings.

Last month, a letter submitted to the US District Court said Andrew “regrets his association” with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

He also agreed to make a “substantial donation” to Ms Giuffre’s charity, after the pair agreed an undisclosed out-of-court settlement in her civil sex claim against him.

Source: News.sky.com

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