Prince Andrew
Strong criticism! So he tries to “cheat his way back into public life”
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Prince Andrew is said to be making another attempt to make his way back into the public eye by attending an official ceremony in Windsor. The disgraced royal is again heavily criticized.
Prince Andrew, 63, is not giving up: Since he lost his senior royal status and his honorary titles and offices due to his involvement in the Epstein scandal and the related abuse lawsuit brought by the American Virginia Giuffre, 39, he has been trying to establish his reputation in to rehabilitate the public. He would “do anything” for that, is now being criticized.
Prince Andrew ‘dressed up as royal’
The 63-year-old is said to be attending an event alongside his brothers King Charles, 74, and Prince Edward, 59, on Tuesday evening, March 21, 2023. For the dinner and the subsequent celebration of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in Windsor, he should once again throw on his ermine robe. The velvet robe, decorated with intricate details, indicates his position as a Knight of the Order of the Garter – an ancient order of chivalry that dates back to 1348 and whose knights traditionally perform important functions at coronation ceremonies. The celebrations recognize loyalty and service to the Royal Family. According to reports, around 600 guests are expected on Tuesday evening.
Andrew’s presence at the official event naturally drew criticism. “Prince Andrew is doing everything he can to cheat his way back into public life,” Norman Baker, a former member of parliament and Liberal Democrat politician, said in The Sun, adding: “The only order he should be given is this Kicked out. He’s just allowed to dress up as a royal for a day when he’s supposed to be serving a long period of silence.”
“You won’t be able to stop him”
So the criticism is aimed more at King Charles. As royal expert and author Ingrid Seward notes, Prince Andrew is still a member of the RVO, so “they probably couldn’t stop him even if they wanted to”.
Andrew has been a member of the Order for several decades. In 1979 he was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth, †96. He retained this role until 2003, when he became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
As recently reported, due to his being relieved of his royal duties, Andrew will not play a ceremonial role at Charles’ coronation, although he is still a Knight of the Garter. The 63-year-old was said to be furious that his older brother could ban him from wearing his ermine robe to the coronation. He had previously been banned from doing so during Queen Elizabeth’s last appearance at the Garter Day procession in Windsor.
Sources used: thesun.co.uk, express.co.uk