Prince Andrew to miss Commonwealth Day service after 'leading Royal Family' at major event

Prince Andrew to miss Commonwealth Day service after 'leading Royal Family' at major event

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Prince Andrew reportedly backed out of the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, after "taking the lead" during his last outing with the Royal Family.


The disgraced royal has been seen driving his Range Rover at Windsor Castle, after he was originally thought to be attending the annual service alongside Prince William and Queen Camilla.


The Duke of York is no longer a working royal after he was forced to step back from public life due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. However, despite stepping back, the 64-year-old has


occasionally been invited to join the royals at various events since 2019.


It comes after he positioned himself as "leader of the Royal Family" at King Constantine's memorial, but this latest stand down could be a sign the 64-year-old is back out in the cold.


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Prince Andrew made a power play at the memorial service on February 28, as he walked out in front of other royals as they entered St George's Chapel.


Body language expert Judi James claimed the duke seemed to have placed himself in the role of "royal sheepdog" with other power moves on full show as he was pictured leading the royals to


church.


She told the Mirror: "Walking in the front line with Anne's husband Tim, Andrew seems to have placed himself in the role of royal sheepdog, walking ahead and slightly to the side while


glancing back to check everyone is keeping up and herded into the church.


"He even walks backwards at one point to check out the others as they are greeting their host by the door.


"His dominant and emphatic hand gesticulation is another power move that world leaders use to suggest dominance and authority when walking with other leaders.


"This sense of signalled authority is only emphasised when Andrew is seen chatting to the clergyman in full regalia who is hosting them, standing up close and personal and actually holding


the man by the upper arm.


"Andrew even delivers a casual power pat on the bishop as he walks away, which is a very odd gesture of superiority that few people would land on a clergyman like this."


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Also absent is Princess Kate who is continuing her recovery from abdominal surgery in January. The Princess of Wales was pictured leaving Windsor Castle today with Prince William, as it is


understood she has an appointment elsewhere.


The latest picture of Kate comes after she was forced to issue a personal apology following a frenzy over a 'manipulated' photograph. Fans were quick to point out a number of bizarre editing


'mishaps' in a photo with the Princess and her children, George, Charlotte and Louis for Mother's Day.


She said: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I


hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C."


In the absence of King Charles, who is currently taking time away from duties due to ongoing cancer treatment, the rest of the Royal Family have joined together to mark the the 75th


anniversary of the Commonwealth.


The 75-year-old monarch was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer at the beginning of February.


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