Prince Andrew will not be around for Commonwealth Day on March 9. Though this is one of the most important events commemorated by the royal family every year, the Duke of York is reportedly sitting this one out.
According to The Telegraph, Prince Andrew's decision still stems from his controversial ties to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke of York In November 2019, the Duke of York stepped back from his royal duties to avoid more media scrutiny and he hasn't been seen in public events since.
Last year, Prince Andrew accompanied his mother in the car as they arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day service. It's unclear who will walk with the Queen at this year's event but she asked Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to be there for their final royal engagement.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to be reunited with the rest of the royal family minus Prince Andrew. Also attending the service are Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
Among the guests of honors at this year's royal event include Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Patricia Scotland, and some faith leaders and ambassadors. Expected to perform at the ceremony are Alexandra Burke and Craig David while Olympic boxing champ Anthony Joshua has been invited to give his reflection. The event will be aired live on BBC at 3:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Entertainment Tonight revealed that the fictional Netflix drama series The Crown has cast the actor who will play Prince Andrew in season 4. Thomas Byrne is going to portray Queen Elizabeth's third child in his early 20s as the show's timeline is moving up to the 1980s.
Prince Andrew's character has yet to officially debut in The Crown but the actor's addition might likely mean that the show is also going to cast Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Prince Andrew and Fergie were married nearly at the same time as Prince Charles and Princess Diana and they also ended their marriages about the same time as well.
The Crown season will bring focus to the royal fairy tale of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin are playing the royals. Netflix announced that The Crown will close in season 5, with a potential plotline involving the death of the People's Princess and the royal family's action.
