Prince Andrew looks less than pleased as he embarks on a solo horseback ride the night before the Trooping the Color ceremony.
The disgraced duke, who stepped back from his senior royal duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was seen wearing a tan jacket over a crimson shirt with gloves and a riding helmet.
The 64-year-old will not appear on the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace tomorrow with other members of the royal family.
But Andrew is believed to have helped his brother Prince Edward prepare for his debut as Colonel of the Scots Guard by offering riding lessons in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
In a departure from tradition, their older brother, King Charles III, will appear at Trooping the Color in a carriage rather than on horseback as he bravely continues his battle against cancer.
Prince Andrew looked less than pleased as he embarked on a solo horseback ride the night before the Trooping the Color ceremony
Prince Andrew, 64, will not appear on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony tomorrow
The Duke of York drives his car to Windsor Castle on the eve of Trooping the Colour
Prince Andrew, who was briefly Colonel of the Grenadiers, attended just two troops in 2018 and 2019.
After serving as a helicopter pilot and instructor during the Falklands War, the naval man had to prepare intensively for his time in the saddle.
But Andrew found himself on the fringes of the royal family following damning allegations about his relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Although he has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations against him, King Charles has since kept the prince at arm’s length.
Other notable omissions from tomorrow’s ceremony include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were reportedly not invited for the second year in a row.
This year’s Trooping the Color will be the first major royal event King Charles has attended since returning to public duties amid his battle with cancer.
It is understood doctors advised the monarch, 75, to inspect soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback.
Although Charles is personally keen to ride his horse, Noble, a black mare gifted to him by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, concerns have been raised about how strenuous this could be if he continues cancer treatment.
Andrew, briefly Colonel of the Grenadiers, took part in just two Troopings (pictured in 2019) but had to undergo intensive preparation for his time in the saddle, a shock for a Navy man
King Charles will depart from Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Color in 2023
It is understood doctors advised the monarch, 75, to inspect soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback
Glorious scenes on the Mall during Trooping the Color in London on June 17, 2023
Trooping the Color was held at Windsor Castle for the Queen on June 12, 2021
Queen Elizabeth herself attended the event in a carriage after 1987.
Prince William will join his father in the traditional event that dates back to the 17th century.
And there is speculation that Catherine, Princess of Wales, will join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF fly by.
The Princess apologized for missing an important rehearsal last weekend, writing in a letter to the Irish Guards: ‘I hope I can represent you all very soon.’
Rebecca English, editor-in-chief of The Daily Mail, suggested in this week’s Palace Confidential that a Kate appearance should not be completely ruled out, amid ‘persistent rumours’ that she could appear on the balcony.
“What’s really interesting is that when I asked both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace about it this week, not a word was said,” the royal expert said.
She continued, “I mean, look, when she’s there. Fantastic. People will be happy to see her. If she isn’t, don’t read into it because she never said she would. I think it will be a bonus.”
There is speculation that Catherine, Princess of Wales (centre) will join other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF fly by, as she does in the photo in 2023.
The Princess of Wales wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: ‘I hope I can represent you all very soon’
Last year, young Prince Louis stole the show when he gave a cheeky salute to the adoring crowd on the balcony.
He was also seen throwing his fists in the air and pouting as his mother Kate looked at him with pride and amusement.
Royal fans have spoken of their excitement ahead of tomorrow’s event – and hope to see Kate ‘if she feels up to it’.