Prince Andrew was booed by members of the public as he was driven down The Mall in a state car. The Duke of York does not have a formal role in the coronation of his brother, King Charles III, Buckingham Palace confirmed today but is attending the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Andrew stepped down from royal duties in 2019 over his links to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In January 2022, he was stripped of his HRH title after he was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epstein’s. He has vehemently and continuously denied these claims.
Since 2019, the duke has largely stayed out of the spotlight. However, he was seen attending Easter service with the King and Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in early April.
Guests began taking their seats at Westminster Abbey early on Saturday morning (6 May) ahead of the ceremony, with dozens pouring into the church wearing suits, fascinators, military uniforms, and medals.
Among the star-studded guests are Nick Cave, Dame Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Ant and Dec, and Lionel Richie. Prince Harry, who is attending his father’s coronation, also arrived in the UK a day before the “slimmed-down” affair. He is expected to wear a morning suit rather than his military uniform as he is no longer a working royal.
