Prince Andrew Will Not Attend Today's NATO Reception at Buckingham Palace
During President Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom earlier this year, Prince Andrew was front and center. The Duke of York accompanied the U.S. President on a tour of Westminster Abbey and to a business-focused breakfast at St James Palace. And of course, the Queen's second son was in attendance at the lavish Buckingham Palace banquet held in honor of the visit.
Andrew was a natural companion for Trump as the two men have much in common. Some of their mutual interests are innocuous, like a shared love of golf; others are more controversial—they were both acquainted with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
But as President Trump makes his return to the U.K. this week to participate in a NATO summit, Prince Andrew is nowhere to be seen.
Today, Queen Elizabeth will host a reception for NATO leaders and their partners at Buckingham Palace, and while many senior royals will be in present at the event, the Duke of York isn't on the guest list.
"Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family, will host a reception for NATO leaders, spouses or partners, and delegations, at Buckingham Palace to mark 70 years of the NATO alliance. The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will formally receive the NATO leaders and their partners," reads a statement released by Buckingham Palace last month.
"The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra will welcome the guests in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace."
Notably Prince William will not be in attendance as he is currently on an official visit to Kuwait and Oman. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also skipping the event as they are taking some time out of the public eye. But Prince Andrew's reason for missing the reception is perhaps the most significant.
In late November, the Duke of York stepped back from his royal duties "for the foreseeable future" in the aftermath of his disastrous Newsnight interview about his friendship with Epstein.
"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," he said in a statement.
"Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission."
Today marks the first time his new status as a non-working member of the Queen's family is evident. It's unclear if or when he could return to public life.
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