MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Prince Andrew joins ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to inspect tributes as Queen's death brings him back in public glare

Andrew has made various public appearances after the Queen's death despite officially retiring from public duties over the Epstein scandal

BY FATIMA KAMIL

PUBLISHED SEP 16, 2022

Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986. The marriage was ended in divorce on 30 May 1996 (Richard Heathcote/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Prince Andrew was joined by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in viewing the tributes to Queen Elizabeth outside Windsor Castle on Friday, September 16. The Duke of York was spotted walking about the castle grounds, viewing the carpet of flowers left by members of the public.

The second oldest son of the Queen was joined by his ex-wife Sarah, whom he divorced in 1996. Sarah was seen inspecting the flowers and read some of the messages. The former couple are parents to Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.

Nile Gardiner calls out 'hate-filled woke Left' after New York Times questions cost of Queen's funeral

According to the Mirror, the thousands of bouquets are currently being moved from outside and placed inside the grounds each night. Following the Queen's death on Thursday, September 8, Andrew has made various public appearances after officially retiring from public duties over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Fergie mourns the Queen: Sarah Ferguson joins Prince Andrew to look at floral tributes left outside Windsor Castle https://t.co/JXTRcPEvAX
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) September 16, 2022

The 62-year-old had travelled alongside Prince William of Wales, the Princess Royal and Earl of Wessex when they touched down in Aberdeen, just before the news came in about the Queen's passing. Meanwhile, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla are on a tour of the UK nations.

(L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive to see Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier today saying that Queen Elizabeth was placed under medical supervision due to concerns about her health. — (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive to see Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Andrew also joined the family on Monday, September 14 for the royal procession down Edinburgh's Royal Mile, escorting the Queen's coffin to St Giles' Cathedral. Meanwhile, as per the outlet, one member of the crown was arrested after heckling Prince Andrew during the procession. Police in Scotland have charged the man for breaching the peace.

The Duke of York will wear uniform for this week's vigils. This move has been criticized by some members of the public after the Queen stripped him of all honorary military roles. He was given the green light to wear his Navy garb despite having his HRH title and Colonel of the Grenadier Guards removed.

(L) Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Westminster Hall on September 14, 2022, in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will lay in state until the early morning of her funeral. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III III. — (L) Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Westminster Hall on September 14, 2022, in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will lay in state until the early morning of her funeral.(Photo by Marko Djurica - Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Andrew was previously in the news due to his civil sex assault case, stemming from his friendship with the convicted sex offender, the late Jeffrey Epstein. He was kept away from the media glare and was not invited to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June this year.

In January 2022, Andrew was slapped with a civil sex assault case by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. Following this, he had to give up his 'His Royal Highness' title that distinguishes a person as “royal” over others. Andrew also had to give up his patronages and honorary military roles. The case was settled for an undisclosed sum.

But things may gradually change as time passes with Prince Andrew becoming more distanced from the "working royals". He will most likely continue to be kept away from public parts of ceremonies and from public-facing royal duties. However, the Queen's funeral is an exception for obvious reasons.