Prince Andrew wants to wear an admiral’s uniform at Prince Philip’s funeral despite retiring from the Royal Navy’s high position because of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report on Wednesday.
The 61-year-old Duke of York, in a fit of scandal, asked to be granted permission by Queen Elizabeth and other senior officials to wear the military attire of a rest ceremony for his father on Saturday. , according to the Daily Mail.
The 94-year-old royal matriarch is expected to make a decision before Thursday.
“People have opinions and there are ongoing discussions about the right course of action,” an unnamed source told the source. “The Duke of York is well aware that Saturday’s funeral is a time for the Duke of Edinburgh, [Her Majesty] and the nation. He has no desire or intention to distract himself. “
In 2019, Prince Andrew withdrew from all 230 posts, including the post of honorary vice-admiral in the Royal Navy, after giving a disastrous television interview about his links to the late billionaire pedophile.
Andrew has been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, of having sex with her three times, including two when he was 17, which he has denied.
If the duke is not granted permission to dress the admiral, which includes a formal coat with rows of lace up his sleeve, he will probably only be allowed to wear a morning dress with medals, the report said.
Meanwhile, all of Prince Andrew’s brothers, Prince Edward, Princess Anna and Prince Charles are expected to wear military attire to the event.
Prince Andreu’s application has not changed his decision to retire from the title of vice-admiral, the unnamed source said.
“The Duke of York will do whatever is appropriate to the circumstances: he will continue to step back from royal duties,” the source said. “Speculation about what may or may not lead is just that, speculation and matters of this nature have not yet been decided.”
Prince Andrew joined the Royal Navy as a naval officer and served from 1979 to 2001. In 2015 he was appointed honorary vice-admiral of the service.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment Tuesday night, saying only that “funeral arrangements are being finalized and we will announce them accordingly.”