Duke of York stays out of sight at Garter Day ceremony
THE DISGRACED Duke of York was forced to remain out of sight during the Garter Day procession after a “family decision” was taken to limit his appearance to a behind-the-scenes lunch and investiture ceremony.
As the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and other senior royals processed through the grounds of Windsor Castle for a church service commemorating the Order of the Garter, Andrew stayed behind closed doors.
A version of the Order of Service for the St George’s Chapel service names Andrew as being part of the Garter knights while in another distributed to the public he has been omitted.
Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, said: “Clearly it was the intention he would be there, as he does feature in one of the lists.”
He said about the move to remove Andrew from public view: “I think the decision they’ve made is a sensible one, I think they’re fully aware of the public’s opinion of the Duke of York’s conduct.”
About 4,500 spectators within the castle walls watched the colourful procession of Garter Knight and Ladies.
It was joined for the first time by Duchess of Cornwall who has been appointed a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter.
Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair was also appointed to the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry as a Knight Companion, and the honour prompted a noisy protest outside the castle walls by around 100 Stop the War activists who at one point chanted “Tony Blair war criminal”.
Sir Keir Starmer, on a visit to Wakefield yesterday, praised the former Labour leader.
He said: “I’ve already congratulated Tony Blair, a hugely successful Labour Prime Minister, three-times winner and did so much for our country.”
The Queen did not be take part in the procession of Garter Knights but did attend the lunch and the investiture ceremony.