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Prince Andrew has been spotted driving his Range Rover at Windsor Castle just hours before a Commonwealth Day service he is expected to miss – having appeared to position himself as the Royal Family’s leader at King Constantine’s memorial.
The Duke of York was photographed driving in the grounds in Berkshire this morning ahead of his predicted non-attendance at this afternoon’s Westminster Abbey event.
Andrew, 64, remains out in the cold after being forced to step back from frontline royal duties following controversy over his former friendship with the late US financier and serial paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He did appear back in favour and smiling when leading the way as Royal Family members attended King Constantine’s memorial at Windsor on February 27.
But Andrew, also today seen horse-riding at Windsor, is not thought likely to be at the Commonwealth Day service as he stays away from royal duties.
The Duke of York was today seen driving his Range Rover at Windsor in Berkshire
Andrew had led a group of royals at King Constantine’s memorial service on February 27
A body language expert previously described how Prince Andrew ‘positioned himself as leader of the Royal Family’ at King Constantine’s memorial event.
The Duke, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019, attended the St George’s Chapel service with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and other family members- and was seen with a wide smile on his face as he led the way.
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James Andrew put on a ‘bizarre’ display which suggested he wanted to ‘position himself in the role of leader’ of the British royal group.
She said: ‘Grinning like the Cheshire Cat at a memorial service where everyone else is looking suitably solemn looks like an overkill performance ritual from Andrew who appears to apply the widest smile just as he walks within range of the cameras.’
‘Andrew was seen in a similar state of cheeriness on his last outing with the royal group and this kind of random-looking grinning suggests a desire to appear carefree and resilient.’
That previous occasion was at Christmas, when he appeared similarly cheery as he attended church at Sandringham with his family.
Prince William unexpectedly missed the service for Constantine, the last king of Greece, due to personal reasons.
Andrew was at front and centre of proceedings with King Charles taking a break from royal duties as he battles cancer, while Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were also absent.
Queen Camilla arrived separately, meaning Andrew – the late Queen Elizabeth II’s second born son – stepped forward and led in other royals including Princess Anne.
One royal watcher told MailOnline at the time: ‘Prince Andrew and the Yorks are firmly back in the fold.’
And biographer and royal expert Phil Dampier suggested Andrew had seized his chance and still clearly felt hopeful for a full comeback, with Fergie close behind.
The duke was also today pictured riding on the Windsor Estate
Andrew was accompanied by ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, at the February 27 service
Filing behind Prince Andrew was Sarah, the Duchess of York, followed by Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne
He said: ‘We have been reminded of the fragility of the situation and Andrew will probably be encouraged to think he can one day make some sort of comeback, although it’s not likely for at least a year or two, if ever’.
But he thought likely to remain exiled from today’s Commonwealth Day events in which other royals are taking part, including this afternoon’s London service.
Andrew had walked to church last Christmas Day with the King and the rest of the Royal Family, suggesting he was being gradually rehabilitated within the monarchy.
This followed his public appearance in his garter robes at Charles’s coronation last May.
Andrew, who has previously strenuously denied allegations against, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Virginia Giuffre.
There was no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.
Ms Giuffre, formerly Roberts, had claimed in a 2015 lawsuit she was made by Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17.
Later, in 2021, she filed a lawsuit against the prince over the alleged encounters.
The prince has strenuously denied all wrong doing and continues to do so.
But Andrew was mentioned more than 70 times in almost 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in January.
The Duke, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019, attended the St George’s Chapel service for the last King of Greece on February 27
Prince Andrew, who has denied any wrongdoing, was previously pictured alongside Virginia Giuffre (centre), one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, and now-jailed Ghislaine Maxwell (right)
Billionaire financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in August 2019
The documents are part of a 2015 defamation case brought by Ms Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein.
Andrew looked gloomy when embarking on a solo ride around the Windsor Estate on February 24, three days before the memorial for King Constantine.
But later that day he appeared in higher spirits as he drove through Windsor, this time accompanied by a friend.
He stopped to chat to a group of dog walkers on The Long Mile before continuing towards Windsor Castle.
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