As King Charles led the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, most senior members of the royal family gathered in a powerful display of unity. But noticeably absent from the high-profile celebrations was Prince Andrew, the King’s younger brother, who has been barred from attending major royal events.
While the rest of the royal family stood in solidarity during the emotional national tribute, Prince Andrew was seen for the first time this week riding a horse near Windsor Castle. According to the Daily Mail, the 65-year-old Duke of York wore a solemn expression and kept his distance from public commemorations.
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The Prince appeared alone during his morning ride, his serious demeanor drawing attention as the rest of the royals participated in the day’s poignant ceremonies honoring the end of World War II in Europe.
Prince Andrew’s continued absence from official events comes as no surprise. He stepped down from public duties in May 2020 following public backlash over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The late Queen Elizabeth II later stripped him of his military titles and royal patronages amid growing pressure and scrutiny.
While he has maintained a low profile since, Andrew’s exclusion from events such as the VE Day commemoration underscores his ongoing status as a sidelined figure within the royal fold.
In stark contrast to Andrew’s solitary presence, the rest of the royal family turned out in full force to support King Charles during Monday’s commemorations. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the ceremonies alongside their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Their presence marked a rare and unified multi-generational appearance.
Also in attendance were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Kent — all standing together with veterans and members of the public to mark the solemn anniversary.
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The official VE Day tribute included a military procession, a flypast of historical aircraft, and a tea party at Buckingham Palace for veterans aged 98 to 104, as well as former evacuees and wartime survivors.
Though Prince Andrew remains a member of the royal family, his absence from such significant national events continues to reflect his diminished role and the ongoing effort by the monarchy to distance itself from scandal.
The Duke’s subdued Windsor outing served as a quiet reminder of the shifting dynamics within the royal household — and of the consequences of controversy in the public eye.
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