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Prince William told the Queen and Prince Charles that he would pull out of today’s Order of the Garter ceremony if his uncle Prince Andrew was given a public role, it was claimed today.
The Duke of Cambridge’s alleged ultimatum to his grandmother and father reportedly led to the Duke of York being banned from the Windsor Castle event amid fears the crowds might boo him.
Prince Andrew looked downcast as he drove to Windsor Castle today as it was claimed his absence from the Windsor Castle procession and service was a ‘family decision’, Buckingham Palace said, amid huge controversy over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and alleged abuse of one of his ‘sex slaves’.
Andrew was not be seen in public during Garter Day, one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar, after the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation. The decision was clearly taken at the 11th hour, because Andrew’s name was on the order of service.
A source told the Evening Standard: ‘The Duke of Cambridge was adamant. If York insisted on taking part publicly, he would withdraw’. It would have also meant that his wife Kate would also not have attended.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, speaks to his uncle Prince Edward today amid claims he threatened not to attend today’s event if Prince Andrew was allowed to march with him
The Queen alongside Prince Charles and Camilla ahead of the Order of the Garter service in a picture released by Buckingham Palace today
Prince Charles laughs with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex outside St George’s Chapel following the Order of the Garter ceremony
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak with the Earl and Countess of Wessex on the steps of St George’s Chapel following the ceremony
Prince Andrew drives from his Windsor home to the castle for the private elements of the Order of the Garter ceremony after being banned from the public parts, reportedly after an ultimatum from Prince William
ITV has uncovered the order of service for today, which shows the Duke of York is still listed, but has now been told not to attend
William and Kate converse during the the Order Of The Garter Service at St George’s Chapel earlier today amid claims he said he would pull out of today’s if his uncle Prince Andrew was given a public role
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend the Order of the Garter Service at St. Georges’s Chapel
The procession walks to St George’s Chapel for the Order of the Garter Service – but without Andrew amid fears he could be barracked and booed
Charles, Prince of Wales (L) and Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive at St George’s Chapel
Prince Andrew is seen leaving Windsor today as he is said to be pushing for a return to royal duties. The Queen is said to have told him to keep out of sight ‘for his own good’. She will knight Tony Blair today
Princess Anne, Princess Royal, arrives at St George’s Chapel to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony
The long procession enters St George’s Chapel for the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle earlier today
Andrew took a central role in escorting his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex in attendance at the historic ceremony at St George’s Chapel today
What is the Order of the Garter? How King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur he set up his own group of knights almost 700 years ago
In medieval times, King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table that he set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter.
Nearly 700 years later, the Order is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The Knights, now both male and female, used to be limited to aristocracy, but today they are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition for their public service.
The patron saint of the Order is St George (patron saint of soldiers and also of England) and if there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St George’s Day (23 April).
The Order of the Garter is a 700-year-old tradition which recognises great public service
The spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate.
These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.
Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.
As sovereign and heir, The Queen and Prince Charles are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’. The Prince of Wales is known as a Royal Knight Companion of the Garter.
The sovereign, known as the Sovereign of the Garter, is the only one with the power to admit new members.
The Garter is open to British and Commonwealth citizens. Notable former members include Sir Winston Churchill, Stanley Baldwin and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Field Marshall, the Lord Bramall, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, the Duke of Abercorn, the Duke of Westminster and Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former Director-General of MI5, are among the current Knights and Ladies of the Garter.
There are also two orders of ‘extra’ knights. Members of the Royal Knights and Ladies include Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and Prince William.
A second order, the Stranger Knights and Ladies, is bestowed on foreign rulers such as Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Harald V of Norway.
Although new additions are named on St. George’s Day, the 23 April, the initiation ceremony takes place in Junmantle during the traditional Garter Procession, which sees members parade through Windsor.
The annual iconic Garter Day procession, where The Queen and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the Queen’s calendar.
Every June, a grand procession of the knights takes place at Windsor Castle, accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order, all in grand ceremonial dress.
The day begins with The Queen formally investing any new Companions with the Order’s insignia in the Throne Room of the Castle. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh entertain the members and officers at a lunch, and then all process on foot to a service in St. George’s Chapel.
There is a short service where any new Companions are installed. The Sovereign and other members of the Order then return to the Upper Ward of the castle in carriages and cars.
A palace insider said that the decision to exclude Andrew from the public elements of today’s Garter Day was a ‘family decision’. While a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duke of York will attend the investiture and lunch today but will not be part of the procession or service.’
But he was allowed to join the Queen at the formal investiture of new members of the Order of the Garter – including the Duchess of Cornwall and ex PM Tony Blair – and as well as the lunch afterwards.
Her Majesty also missed the procession and service, due to her ongoing mobility problems – but intended to do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights including Tony Blair and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
It came amid reports that Andrew has pushed for a return to royal duties but his older brother Prince Charles and nephew Prince William had asked the Queen not to give in to the disgraced royal. Her Majesty apparently informed him to keep out of sight ‘for his own good’.
Andrew, 62, was stripped of his official duties at the start of the year as he prepared to pay a multi-million-pound settlement to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre to keep her allegations of sexual abuse, which he denies, out of court.
But last night, the duke – who missed the Jubilee celebrations a week ago because he had Covid – dramatically pulled out of today’s Order of the Garter ceremony, despite being a member of the ancient order of chivalry. Charles and William were said to have blocked Andrew from appearing at today’s Order of the Garter ceremony after lobbying the Queen, according to The Sun.
In a last-minute U-turn, the prince backed out of attending public aspects of the annual ceremony at Windsor. He will still attend a private lunch with the Queen and other members of the order.
Buckingham Palace had insisted that Andrew would attend the ceremony, because the honour was given to him in a personal capacity by the Queen.
But behind the scenes there was deep concern about the spectacle of the shamed prince walking in his robes in public. There were also fears he could be booed. The Queen is reported to have asked him to stay out of public sight and only attend private elements of today’s event. It also appears that his wish to represent her at Royal Ascot has been binned.
But despite this he remains ninth in line to the throne – and a Counsellor of State – meaning he will stand in for the Queen if she is incapacitated and Charles and William are abroad.
Prince Andrew lives in the grounds of Windsor Castle and is said to have daily contact with his mother.
Weeks after she stripped him of his titles, the Queen asked him to accompany her to Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March, where he walked his mother down the aisle in a highly symbolic moment.
But palace aides – as well as his relatives – are said to have been clear that the strength of public feeling against over his links to Epstein, must preclude him from taking part in frontline royal duties.
Despite his non-appearance today, the duke believes he should be included in other royal and state events, The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘The colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards was his most coveted title and he wants it back,’ a source said.
‘Having remained a Counsellor of State, he also believes he should be included at royal and state events. Most importantly for him is his status as an HRH and ‘Prince of the Blood’ and he feels that should be reinstated and his position recognised and respected.’
The Palace and Andrew’s spokesman last night declined to comment on the claims. But one royal insider suggested that, whether he had asked or not, there should be no expectation of being welcomed back.
The insider said the duke could ‘lobby all he wanted, if indeed he has, but whether he would ever get anything back is an entirely different matter’.
An aide said the statement from January in which he was stripped of his roles ‘with the Queen’s approval and agreement’, still ‘speaks for itself’.
Prince Charles is understood to be prominent among those who feel he must be kept at arm’s length to avoid damaging the entire institution of the British monarchy.
Andrew became Colonel of the Grenadier Guards five years ago after his father, Prince Philip, stepped back from public life – and is said to have particularly enjoyed the role.
It is claimed he wanted to wear the formal uniform of the rank at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year, prompting a decision that all royal men would wear civilian morning coats to avoid any embarrassment.
A royal source said at the weekend that the ‘Andrew problem’ needed fixing. Another source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the duke as, [away] from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction.’
There was the suggestion that one option could see the duke spending more time in Scotland but a full-time move there is thought to be unlikely.
Royal biographer Angela Levin said: ‘Andrew should be ashamed of himself.
‘His demand to return to duty was outrageous. It clearly showed he was not concerned about what happened with his court case.
‘He was not found guilty – but, my goodness, there is a massive amount of grubbiness surrounding him.’
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, was elegant in a vibrant blue coat dress as she lead the royal family as they arrived at Windsor Castle today ahead of Garter Day celebrations
Meanwhile the Countess of Wessex was pretty in a pink Valentino gown as she arrived at St George’s Chapel earlier today
Prince William’s appearance comes amid reports he and his father Prince Charles asked the Queen not to give in to his uncle Prince Andrew, who is reportedly pushing for a return to royal duties
Mother-of-three Kate swept her hair from her face as she arrived at the event, and showed off her natural beauty with a simple make-up look, pairing a light layer of foundation with smokey brown eye and pink lipstick
The procession walks to St George’s Chapel for the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle, in Windsor
The royal couple appeared in high spirits as they walked through the grounds outside St George’s Chapel ahead of the service today (left) . Meanwhile Sophie Wessex and Kate Middleton watched on (right)
Crowds gathered at St George’s Chapel in Windsor ahead of the big event this afternoon, which will see a number of royals in attendance
As the royals arrived at Windsor Castle for the event today, Beefeaters were seen marching through the street
The Duke of York is said to have lobbied the Queen for his former status to be restored and to be allowed back to official events. He also wants his ceremonial role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards reinstated
Prince Andrew has denied the allegations.
It was previously reported that The Queen has been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’.
The Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.
‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the Duke as, away from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction,’ said the senior Palace source.
While it is understood that Andrew is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.
The Palace source added: ‘There is, of course, a real awareness and sensitivity to public feelings. There is also recognition that the task of starting to support him as he begins to rebuild his life will be the first step on a long road and one that should not be played out every day in the glare of the public spotlight.’
It comes as William and Kate are set to swap the hustle and bustle of London to take up residence in leafy Berkshire, according to reports.
It is claimed that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate this summer – leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence.
According to The Sunday Times, the couple are set to take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school in Battersea at the end of the school year.
George and Charlotte will then join their younger brother, Prince Louis, 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports.
William is set to turn 40 this week. The royal is reported to have joked privately that he is finding it ‘so daunting’.
The move will see William and Kate leave Kensington Palace, which has been their main residence since 2017.
The couple moved their from their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, where they had previously spent much of their time.
However, according to The Sunday Times, the pair will retain their property at Kensington Palace as their London home despite moving to Berkshire. Their press team will remain in west London.
The couple will also retain Anmer Hall, which the paper reports they will continue to use ‘regularly’.
One friend reportedly told the paper that they plan to move there on a more permanent basis after their children are through ‘the school years’.
‘They absolutely love it up there, it’s their happy place,’ the friend is reported to have said.
The move to Windsor means the Cambridges will be near to the home of the Duchess’s parents, the Middletons, who live 45-minutes away by car in the village of Bucklebury.
The Queen’s second son enjoying a horse ride in the sunshine in Windsor
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate this summer. According to The Times, the couple are set to take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school at the end of the school year
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate (pictured: An aerial view) this summer
William and Kate’s main residence is currently Kensington Palace. According to the Sunday Times, the couple will keep the stunning west London home as their main property
George and Charlotte will join their younger brother, Prince Louis (pictured), 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports
The couple will also retain Anmer Hall, which the paper reports they will continue to use ‘regularly’
It has long been reported that the couple could one day move into Windsor Castle. The Queen has spent much of her time at the Berkshire castle following the death of her beloved Prince Phillip.
However it is understood Prince Charles does not plan to spend as much time there when he becomes king.
It has previously been reported that the Prince of Wales plans to spend much of his time at Buckingham Palace during his reign.
Prince William and Kate were centre stage at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend, appearing on the royal balcony twice and during Saturday night’s Party at the Palace celebrations.
They were also joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they brought the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to Wales while visiting concert rehearsals at Cardiff Castle.
Prince William and Kate Middleton with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Cardiff Castle this afternoon
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with George, eight, and Charlotte, seven, met performers and crew involved in a special Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert at the castl.
William and Kate seemed to encourage their shy-looking children to shake hands and introduce themselves to dignitaries as they arrived in the Welsh capital, though Charlotte was soon beaming.
It was the young royals’ first official visit to Wales and one of the first times they have greeted and interacted with members of the public.
Missing was Prince Louis who stole the show when he appeared on Buckingham Palace’s balcony with his family and the Queen after the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Queen, 96, reaches another incredible milestone as she becomes world’s second longest-reigning monarch
The Queen has reached an incredible new milestone after becoming the world’s second longest reigning monarch.
Her Majesty, 96, will overtake Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1946 and 2016, from today.
Earlier this month, the Queen surpassed Johan II of Liechtenstein, who reigned for 70 years and 91 days, until his death in February 1929.
Louis XIV of France remains the longest-reigning monarch, with a 72-year and 110-day reign from 1643 until 1715, while the Queen’s stint on the throne now stands at 70 years and 126 day, equal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s.
The Queen has reached a new milestone today, after becoming the world’s second longest reigning monarch with 70 years and 126 days on the throne under her belt
Prince Johan II of Liechtenstein, who reigned for 70 years and 91 days, until his death in February 1929
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thaliand pictured with the Queen during a state visit to the UK in July 1960
Louis XIV of France (pictured), known as Louis the Great, became King at the tender age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII, and ruled from 14 May 1643 to 1 September 1715
The milestone comes as Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee last week, with four days of parades, street parties, and other events, after officially reaching the milestone on February 6 this year.
After the success of the jubilee she released a statement thanking the nation saying she had been ‘humbled and deeply touched’ and that ‘this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come’.
She added in the statement: ‘While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.’
This record joins the Queen’s many other accolades – including her title as the longest-living reigning monarch.
Four generations of the Royal family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony: Camilla, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Her Majesty became the longest-reigning British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.
In March 2020, the Queen surpassed K’inich Janaab Pakal who ruled the Maya city state of Palenque for 68 years and 33 days before his death in 683AD.
Pakal the Great is thought to have ascended to the throne at the age of 12- years-old and during his rule managed to expand Palenque’s power in the western Maya states.
The Mayan civilisation reached its peak between 250 and 900 AD, when it ruled large swathes of what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.
Louis XIV of France, known as Louis the Great, became King at the tender age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII, and ruled from 14 May 1643 to 1 September 1715.
The Queen has remained one of the most poised public figures in the world in the course of her 70-year reign, rarely revealing her emotions in public.
Today, however, an insider has revealed that the huge outpouring of thanks from the British public and from around the Commonwealth left her ‘tearful and overwhelmed with emotion’ during the grand finale of the Jubilee celebrations last Sunday.
For many commentators, the high point of the four-day event came when the Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Dressed in a vibrant green Stewart Parvin crepe wool dress and coat with matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen was seen standing next to a slimmed-down version of the official working members of the Royal Family.
Yet the historic moment nearly didn’t happen at all.
A source said: ‘The Queen only decided that she would go to London about three hours before the balcony appearance.
‘She was not feeling brilliant but the Prince of Wales had called her and told her she really ought to come if she could.
‘He told her there were so many people desperate to see her and he convinced her to come.’
Bound by duty, the Queen travelled from Windsor to London and was astonished by the goodwill shown to her when she arrived.
A source said: ‘The Queen was totally overwhelmed by the number of people waiting to see her – she had tears in her eyes before she stepped out on the balcony.’
Meanwhile, social media users rushed to congratulate the Queen on her milestone today.
One said: ‘Today Her Majesty the Queen is now the second longest reigning monarch, longest-reigning incumbent monarch and the longest-reigning female monarch in history. Congratulations Your Majesty.’
Another wrote on Twitter: ‘She keeps racking up these historical events. Congratulations.’
William and Kate ‘will move family to Windsor in summer and Charles will give them the castle’ after Jubilee talks that also saw Queen plot future for the monarchy involving Andrew ‘sent to Scotland’
- William and Kate are planning to move to a house on Windsor Estate, according to report in the Sunday Times
- They are planning to move their children into a new school, but will retain their property at Kensington Palace
- It comes as it was today revealed Queen has been holding talks with Prince Andrew about rebuilding his life
- However one option on the table said to involve him leaving Windsor for Scotland to get out of the public eye
- Meanwhile, reports in The Sun suggest Harry and Meghan met Queen for 15 minutes during Jubilee weekend
- According to the paper, they introduced Lilibet to the Queen but palace aides kept the occasion ‘formal’
ByJames Robinson for MailOnlineand Kate Mansey For The Mail On Sunday
Big changes could be afoot for the House of Windsor this summer, with William and Kate reportedly set on a move to Windsor, while Prince Andrew could swap Berkshire for Scotland as part of a bid to rebuild his life.
Following family talks around the Queen’s recent Jubilee weekend, plans are now being put in place that could see significant changes to the lives of the royals later this year.
Possibly the biggest change will be for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are reportedly set to uproot their family from Kensington, west London, to Berkshire.
It is claimed the couple are set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate – leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence.
Meanwhile, The Queen is said to have been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’.
With his recent US legal battle now over, the Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.
While it is understood that Andrew – seen out horse-riding at Windsor yesterday – is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.
While William, Kate and Andrew could all see big changes this summer, it appears to be little change for US-based Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
It is claimed the couple only secured a 15-minute meeting with the Queen over the four-day Jubilee celebrations last weekend, with senior royal aides reportedly describing the tone as ‘formal’.
Big changes could be afoot for the House of Windsor this summer, with William and Kate reportedly set on a move to Windsor, while Prince Andrew could be off to Scotland as part of a bid to rebuild his life. Pictured: William, Kate and their three children on the royal balcony during Trooping the Colour
Prince Andrew (pictured riding around Windsor yesterday), the Duke of York was stripped of his military titles and HRH status in January as he faced sexual abuse allegations Pictured: The Queen’s second son enjoying a horse ride in the sunshine in Windsor yesterday
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II wave on the balcony during the Platinum Pageant on June 5
Prince Harry during a break in his latest polo game in California. The royal turned out for his pal Nacho Figueras’ side Los Padres on Friday
Prince Harry was spotted striking a pose this weekend as he enjoyed a spot of polo under the Californian sun, just days after arriving back from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London
Harry donned a green top, white trousers and black riding boots and knee pads as he basked in the scorching LA heat, before mounting his brown horse and putting on his helmet and protective goggles
While William, Kate and Andrew could all see big changes this summer, it appears to be little change for US-based Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured here leaving the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s Jubilee earlier this month)
It is claimed William and Kate are set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate (pictured: Windsor Castle) – leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence
According to The Sunday Times, as part of the Berkshire move, William and Kate will take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school in Battersea at the end of the school year.
George and Charlotte will then join their younger brother, Prince Louis, 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports.
The move will see William and Kate leave Kensington Palace, which has been their main residence since 2017.
The couple moved their from their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, where they had previously spent much of their time.
However, according to the paper, the pair will retain their property at Kensington Palace as their London home despite moving to Berkshire. Their press team will remain in west London.
The couple will also retain Anmer Hall, which the paper reports they will continue to use ‘regularly’.
One friend reportedly told the paper that they plan to move there on a more permanent basis after their children are through ‘the school years’.
‘They absolutely love it up there, it’s their happy place,’ the friend is reported to have said.
The move to Windsor will also see the Cambridges move closer to the home of the Duchess’s parents, the Middletons, who live 45-minutes away by car in the village of Bucklebury.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate this summer. According to The Times, the couple are set to take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school at the end of the school year
George and Charlotte will join their younger brother, Prince Louis (pictured), 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports
William and Kate’s main residence is currently Kensington Palace. According to the Sunday Times, the couple will keep the stunning west London home as their main property
It has long been reported that the couple could one day move into Windsor Castle. The Queen has spent much of her time at the Berkshire castle following the death of her beloved Prince Phillip.
However it is understood Prince Charles does not plan to spend as much time there when he becomes king. It has previously been reported that the Prince of Wales plans to spend much of his time at Buckingham Palace during his reign.
The move comes as William is set to turn 40 this week. The royal is reported to have joked privately that he is finding it ‘so daunting’.
But he also reportedly hopes the move to Berkshire will give his family more freedom to roam when compared to the ‘confined’ London life.
It comes as the Daily Mail yesterday revealed how The Queen has been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’.
The Duke will tomorrow attend the annual Order of the Garter ceremony and a senior Palace source confirmed meetings are underway behind the scenes to find a new role for him away from the spotlight.
The Queen’s second son was stripped of his military titles and HRH status in January as he prepared to face sexual abuse allegations, which he has always vehemently denied, in a civil lawsuit.
Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of York arrive at a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Harry receives assistance as his kneepads are readjusted during a break in the polo match on Friday
He agreed to pay a sum reportedly up to £12 million to settle the case.
With the legal battle now over, the Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.
‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the Duke as, away from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction,’ said the senior Palace source.
While it is understood that Andrew – seen out horse-riding at Windsor yesterday – is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.
The Palace source added: ‘There is, of course, a real awareness and sensitivity to public feelings. There is also recognition that the task of starting to support him as he begins to rebuild his life will be the first step on a long road and one that should not be played out every day in the glare of the public spotlight.’
The Duke – who was absent from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend after contracting Covid – remains a member of the historic Order of the Garter and will attend its annual ceremony at Windsor.
The Mail on Sunday understands that concerns remain within the Palace that any return to public life would be badly received and that the Queen will not reverse her decision to ban Andrew from official duties.
At the time, a statement said: ‘With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen.’
News of the discussions on Andrew’s future comes as he was branded an ‘absolute fool’ for becoming embroiled in a fresh row over money.
French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre – who at one time was owed millions of pounds by Andrew after selling her ski chalet in the Swiss resort of Verbier to him – made the comment amid new claims that he is involved in a £1.6 million debt battle connected to the property. Andrew is believed to dispute the amount of the debt.
It comes as reports today suggested Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met the Queen for only 15 minutes over the Platinum Jubilee.
During the meeting, the couple, who are now based in Montecito, California, introduced their one-year-old daughter Lilibet, who is named after The Queen, for the first time.
While it is understood that Andrew – seen out horse-riding at Windsor yesterday – is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland
However, according to The Sun on Sunday, the meeting, which took place on Thursday as the Jubilee celebrations kicked-off, was kept ‘formal’ by Buckingham Palace aides.
A source reportedly told the paper: ‘It was a quick in and out job. It was all quite formal.’ Buckingham Palace reportedly declined to comment when contacted by The Sun.
It comes as Prince Harry was spotted striking a pose this weekend as he enjoyed a spot of polo under the Californian sun, almost a week after arriving back from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London.
The Duke of Sussex, 37, played for his friend Nacho Figueras’ team Los Padres at the Cancha de Estrella Polo Club in Santa Barbara on Friday, in what was the first time he was seen out and about since returning to Los Angeles on June 5.
After working up a sweat, the red-faced royal was pictured taking a break as he placed his hands behind his head and sunk into his right hip.
He donned a green top, white trousers and black riding boots and knee pads as he basked in the typical LA heat, before being seen mounting his brown horse and putting on his helmet and protective goggles for another round of play.
It comes after royal experts this week claimed that Harry ‘must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up’, after he and his wife Meghan Markle decided not to be more visible in the Jubilee celebrations because ‘they did not have centre stage seats’.
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex, 40, missed both the Platinum Jubilee Party and Pageant – as well as the Epsom Derby during the four-day festivities.
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex , 40, missed both the Platinum Jubilee Party and Pageant – as well as the Epsom Derby during the four-day festivities. They did however attend the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral (pictured)
Meghan was not present for the game on Friday, which Harry’s team lost 12-8 to Dundee II.
The couple made only one public appearance over the Jubilee weekend, despite flying in from the US with their two children – Archie and Lilibet.
They did not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, and were also seemingly relegated to the second row during the Thanksgiving service.
Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl told True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat that the couple weren’t at other celebrations because ‘they did not have centre stage seats’.
Meanwhile, historian Hugo Vickers added: ‘Harry has given up being Captain of the Royal Marines, who were out in force.
‘I think he must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up.’
Katie said: ‘I honestly think it’s [because]… they knew that they wouldn’t be in that front row.
‘And why did they leave the Royal Family? They left because they weren’t in the front row. I believe that’s why they weren’t at the other celebrations as they did not have centre stage seats.’
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