Queen Elizabeth chose Prince Andrew to be her escort to Prince Philip's memorial service. However, there are speculations that Prince Charles and Prince William suspect his true motive.
Queen Elizabeth Being Used By Favorite Son Prince Andrew To Repair Reputation?
The Queen attended her late husband's special memorial service on Tuesday. The monarch, who has mobility issues, arrived with Prince Andrew by her side. They entered the Westminster Abbey together with the Queen holding his elbow in one hand and a walking stick in the other to assist her as she walked her way to her seat.
The mother and son's sighting raised eyebrows because most did not expect to see the Duke of York front and center at the event. Several even slammed the royal family and called them out of touch because many felt that the 95-year-old British monarch was showing her public support to the disgraced royal who settled a sexual assault lawsuit just last month.
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However, there is another concern, according to Jeremy Vine Extra panellist Mike Parry, who also disapproved of Prince Andrew being the Queen's escort.
"And the big fear, I'm told by people who know these things, is that Prince William and Prince Charles think that Andrew used his mother to try and whitewash his reputation, literally hiding behind his mother's skirt," he said per Express. "Looking for rehabilitation because he wants to become a part of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary later this year to start his trip back into society."
Several sources claimed that the Duke of York is the Queen's favorite among her four children. However, according to Vine, the Queen has been overheard saying she has four children and wants them to feel equally welcome.
Is Prince Andrew Causing A Conflict Between Queen Elizabeth And Prince Charles, Prince William?
Several outlets claimed that Prince William and Prince Charles were against the idea of Prince Andrew escorting the Queen. However, there were allegedly last-minute changes leading to the Duke of York accompanying the Queen.
Some sources claimed that the controversial royal insisted to escort the Queen to use the event in his favor. Parry was among those who felt that he used the thanksgiving memorial to redeem himself.
The royal family was allegedly horrified at the sight of the Queen making her entrance with Prince Andrew. The incident allegedly sparked a fierce conflict between the monarch and the heirs.
However, one should take the report with a grain of salt. Royal biographer Robert Jacobson acknowledged that the senior members of the royal family disagreed but it was the Queen who "insisted" it for a reason.
"It does make some sense that he accompany her because he doesn't have a partner. A settlement has been paid, but he's guilty of nothing in the eyes of the law," the "Prince Philip's Century" author told People.
"She has faith in Andrew. Even if he disappears from public life, he's been able to pay tribute to his father, who after all, was very proud of his service in the Royal Navy, where he fought in the Falkland Islands conflict."
Also, Parry said the heirs could not overrule the Queen in the monarchy. The Prince of Wales is also aware of his mother's condition and is unlikely to go against her will.
Stay tuned for more news and updates about the royal family.