Prince Andrew travelling to church with Prince William and Kate at Balmoral was ‘a public statement of togetherness’ but he will never return to official duties, royal expert says

Prince Andrew’s appearance in a car with William and Kate as the family traveled to church in Balmoral was a “public declaration of togetherness” but there is “no possibility” of him returning to royal duties, an expert said.

As he sat next to Prince William on his way to church yesterday, Andrew seemed well and truly back in the royal fold. The disgraced duke, 63, was driven to church by the future king, whose wife Catherine was in the back seat.

They attended church with other family members as the royal family enjoyed their first summer holiday at the estate since the Queen’s death there a year ago.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline that the photos of Prince Andrew traveling to church with the Welsh were “clearly intended to send a message of unity in the family.”

But he insisted this was not a sign that Andrew could return to public duties in any shape or form.

“This is a sad time for the Royal Family on their usual break at Balmoral. She and the nation will soon commemorate a year since the Queen’s death,” Fitzwilliams said.

Andrew was invited for summer vacation by the king, who reportedly presented the olive branch to his brother so that the whole family could be together at Balmoral.

“We know how close Andrew was to the late Queen. His appearance at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Memorial Service in March 2022, where he physically supported her while she gave him emotional and financial support, caused much controversy.

“It has been reported that his allowance has been reduced. His tenure at Royal Lodge in Windsor, his home, was rumored to be in jeopardy.

“He is also reportedly seeking to regain the police protection he lost when he stepped down from his royal duties.”

But Mr Fitzwilliams added: ‘It is important to stress that there is no possibility, as King Charles and Prince William have always realised, of him returning to public duties in any form.

A look at his non-existent popularity numbers in the polls makes the public mood on this issue very clear.

What is emphasized however is harmony on a personal level and it is clear that he and his immediate family, who are also with Balmoral, will appreciate this very much, especially as the photos we see today are such a very public statement of togetherness. are.’

William drove a Land Rover Defender with his uncle in the front on his way to church and his wife, the Princess of Wales, in the back. After the service, the passengers switched seats.

Andrew was invited for summer vacation by the king, who reportedly presented the olive branch to his brother so that the whole family could be together at Balmoral.

William drove to church in a Land Rover Defender with his uncle in the front and his wife, the Princess of Wales, in the back

Prince William drives Catherine Princess of Wales out of church yesterday morning – the passengers switched seats after the service

King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the group, having spent their summer holidays at the Scottish estate

Prince Edward was seen driving to church in a car with his wife Sophie, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Princess Anne

The prince lost his official duties and his place in public life after the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

A November 2019 car crash Newsnight interview was followed by a lawsuit in which former teenage Epstein victim Virginia Roberts sued the Duke over her claims that he had sex with her while she was under the control of the pedophile financier.

Last January, when Andrew promised to fight the case and vehemently denied the allegations, as he always has, he was told to stop using the title His Royal Highness, and all military titles and royal patronages were returned to the late queen at the request of Charles and William.

Months later, he settled out of court with Ms Roberts for a reported £12 million without any admission of wrongdoing.

He is said to believe a return to public life is possible.