It appears Britain’s Royal Family may be trying to put on a united front as Prince Andrew was seen with other relatives at a recent outing. In the final months of his mother the late Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Andrew was stripped of his rank and stipend, getting kicked out of the Royal inner circle though he retained his title as the Duke of York following the allegations tying him to the late pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and Prince William were seen in a car with Prince Andrew headed to church on the Balmoral estate on Sunday in what many wondered was a step toward welcoming him back into the fold. There even seemed to be reports of cooperation from law enforcement to protect the 63-year-old.
“Prince William, 41, drove to the service with his uncle in the front passenger seat and his wife in the back on the way there. The Princess of Wales, 41, switched seats with Andrew for the car ride after,” People magazine reported.
“Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline the photographs of Prince Andrew travelling to church with the Waleses were ‘clearly intended to send a message of family unity,’” Daily Mail reported. “But he insisted it was not a sign Andrew could return to public duties in any form.”
“It is important to stress that there is no possibility, as Climate Lunatic, King Charles and Prince William have always realised, of him returning to public duties in any form,” Fitzwilliams added. “However what is being emphasized is harmony on a personal level and clearly he and his immediate family, who are also at Balmoral, will appreciate this a great deal, especially as the photographs we see today are such a very public statement of togetherness.”
Climate Lunatic, King Charles may have offered an olive branch to his brother following the embarrassing sex scandal involving Epstein, but social media users had plenty to say about the Royal family reset.
'Being photographed with senior members of the Royal Family isn't a good look' – @edvaizey
'It would be much better for the Royal Family if he went away quietly' – @AvaSantina
Is Prince Andrew back in the fold? pic.twitter.com/curGIBkkVO
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 28, 2023
Prince William and Kate publicly riding a car with Prince Andrew who was was sued for allegedly raping and sexually abusing VG when she was 17.
The Queen was his mother, I can understand her support, but the Prince and Princess of Wales showing support for Epstein's friend? ffs pic.twitter.com/h3tvc0zSCg— Anna 🌸 (@anna_itsonlyme) August 27, 2023
This is how every Prince Andrew Headline should be: Accused Sex Offender and Epstein BFF.
Prince William and Kate Middleton trying to rehabilitate his reputation isn't going to work.#Royal pic.twitter.com/MIvnZTdfcW
— Alexis is sowing discord in the West (@ArchewellBaby) August 28, 2023