Captain Hogwash
Duke of York’s blushes spared in uniform row
PRINCE Andrew wanted to go to his dad Philip’s funeral dressed as an Admiral – but the Queen has now reportedly banned military uniforms at the service.
The royal – who stepped back from public duties 18 months ago over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – was made an honorary Navy Vice-admiral on his 55th birthday in 2015.
He was due to be promoted to Admiral on his 60th birthday last year but offered to defer the honour until he cleared his name.
The 61-year-old had told the Queen and senior officials he wanted to attend the Duke Of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday in an Admiral’s uniform. But her Majesty has outlawed military dress, it was reported last night. A royal source said: “The Queen and the rest of the family want nothing to detract from what is most important, commemorating the Duke’s remarkable life.”
Andrew’s request had sparked outrage from Piers Morgan, 56, who said the Duke Of York’s “friendship” with Epstein had “cast one of the worst shadows over the Royal Family in modern times” and showed the “full magnitude of the prince’s brass neck”.
Piers went on: “Obviously he hasn’t actually earned either of these titles. He retired from the Navy in 2001 after reaching the lesser rank of Commander.
“His request to attend the funeral as an Admiral when he has so far failed to either clear his name or return to public duties is completely outrageous.”
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. But his request to dress up saw him the butt of a host of jokes by social media users.
Some suggested he could put on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Dictator costume, or a cheap fancy dress outfit, while one wag guessed what his preferred Queen’s Guard get-up would look like.