Prince Andrew, the embattled Duke of York, has once again found himself on the outskirts of royal affairs as he has been barred from attending today’s Order of the Gata day at Windsor Castle.
This annual event witnesses the majestic procession of the ladies and knights of the Order of the Gata, the nation’s most esteemed order of chivalry, as they make their way from the grand State Apartments of Berkshire Castles to St George’s Chapel.
Adorned in white-plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes, they are greeted by throngs of onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the regal spectacle.
The absence of Prince Andrew from the prestigious event marks the third consecutive year that he has been excluded from participating in the festivities.
Despite being the Gata king, sources have revealed that he will not be partaking in the celebrations this time around.
“He won’t be there,” a source disclosed to the Express, citing an established precedent that aims to deny him a public platform.
While Prince Andrew will be absent from the public-facing events, it is anticipated that he will still attend the private luncheon and the investiture ceremonies.
His retreat from active royal duties dates back to 2019 following his controversial association with convicted s** offender Jeffrey Epstein and the ensuing fallout from his ill-fated Newsnight interview addressing their relationship.
Following the ceremonial proceedings, the royal entourage, including the king, queen, and other members of the royal family, will make their regal return to the castle via carriage.
This year’s Order of the Gata day saw the investiture of the Duchess of Gloucester into the ancient order of chivalry, where she was appointed as a royal lady companion earlier in April.
Notably, Lord Lloyd Webber was also bestowed with this honor, marking a significant recognition for his contributions to the arts and culture realm.
In a surprising turn of events, the Princess of Wales opted out of attending the event, despite her recent appearance at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Similarly, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, expressed her intentions to engage in select public activities during the summer season but clarified that she would not be present at Gata Day or the upcoming Royal Ascot festivities.
Kate’s public statement preceding her appearance at Trooping the Colour hinted at her gradual reintegration into public life following a period of recuperation from a cancer diagnosis.
The monarch, King Charles, who himself has been grappling with health challenges after a cancer diagnosis, has started to resume his royal duties, including a recent trip to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Amidst these developments, speculations abound regarding the brewing conflict between King Charles and his brother, Prince Andrew, over the latter’s residence at Royal Lodge.
Reports suggest that King Charles is adamant about Andrew vacating Royal Lodge, his longtime abode since 2003, as part of his transition away from official royal responsibilities.
However, Prince Andrew appears resolute in his decision to remain at the residence, intending to pass it down to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The standoff between the siblings has sparked debates about the legal avenues available to compel Prince Andrew to relinquish his occupancy at Royal Lodge, with experts weighing in on potential strategies that the king could employ to enforce his wishes.
Amidst the ongoing royal saga, friends of Prince Andrew have voiced support for his stance, emphasizing his attachment to the property and his desire to preserve it for his children’s future.
The unfolding narrative surrounding Prince Andrew’s residency at Royal Lodge underscores the complexities and tensions within the royal family, hinting at deeper rifts and unresolved issues that continue to reverberate through the hallowed halls of monarchy.