09 April 2023 , 10:27
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Prince Andrew has made a rare appearance in the public eye as he joined other royals at this morning’s Easter Sunday service.
The disgraced Duke of York joined the King, the Queen Consort and senior royals at Windsor Castle for the first Easter service of Charles' reign.
Wearing a dark suit and bright yellow tie, Andrew strolled into the church just behind his brother, King Charles, and the Queen Consort.
Earlier a message on the Royal Family’s official Twitter account said: “Wishing all of our followers a Happy Easter.”
Last month Andrew was accused of trying to "worm his way back into public life" when he attended the Royal Victorian Order party, which recognises service and loyalty to the monarch.
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Prince Andrew arrives at the service with Princess Anne and the King with the Queen Consort (Yui Mok/AP/REX/Shutterstock)He was also due at a dinner held at Windsor with up to 600 guests making an appearance, including and .
Andrew was forced to step back from royal duties following a sex scandal, which he has always denied.
Former MP Norman Baker said the Duke is "going to any length possible to worm his way back into public life".
The Duke looked pensive as he arrived for the service (Justin Goff/GoffPhotos.com)
The smiling monarch waved to the crowds ahead of his first Easter service as King (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)He told : "[Andrew] is simply being allowed to play dressing up as a royal for the day when really he should be serving a long period of silence."
Today’s event is likely to be a moving moment for the family as they sit together in the 15th century chapel and final resting place of the Queen.
The Windsors last gathered at St George's in September for the monarch’s committal service and then private burial following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive with their children (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)Despite the occasion, several of the senior family members were seen with smiles on their faces as they walked together into the church.
The late Queen missed last April's Easter Sunday service due to mobility problems, the first time she had pulled out of attending the annual service in more than 50 years.
Instead the then and took her place at the Royal Maundy Service.
The Queen was reportedly "regretfully unable to commit" to attending the annual service, which usually sees the monarch distribute special Maundy money to pensioners.
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Other senior royals arrive at St George's Chapel (David Hartley)Before then there were four occasions where another member of the royal family attended the Royal Maundy event in Her Majesty’s absence.
In 1954 The Lord High Almoner represented the Queen as Her Majesty was on a Commonwealth Tour.
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In 1960, the Queen Mother represented her daughter as Prince Andrew was born in the February and in 1964 the Princess Mary, Princess Royal, represented the sovereign as Prince Edward was born in the March.
The last time Her Majesty was unable to make the event was in 1970 when she requested the Queen Mother to represent her as she was on tour in New Zealand.
Charles, as monarch, has succeeded his mother to become the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.