Queen walks in to memorial service arm-in-arm with Andrew in huge show of support for her ‘favourite’

PRINCE Andrew was given prime position today as he led the Queen into Prince Philip’s memorial service.

The Duke of York, often dubbed his mother’s “favourite son” walked arm-in-arm with the monarch as he guided her down the aisle through Westminster Abbey this morning.

The disgraced duke, 62, then made his way to a front row seat, having earlier driven to the service with Her Majesty from Windsor.

It marks Andrew’s first public appearance since he paid a £7million settlement to Virginia Giuffre to drop her civil sex assault case brought against him in the US.

It also shows the Queen’s support for her son, who has hardly been seen in public since he stepped down from royal life.

She and Andrew entered the Abbey via Poets Corner – a shorter route for the Queen’s comfort – in a small procession.

As they walked in, the Queen held onto Andrew’s elbow with her left hand, moving slowly and gingerly to her place while using a walking stick in her right hand.

Her state limousine had arrived at Poets’ Yard entrance with her son sat beside her after they travelled from Windsor together.

It comes as…

• Princess Beatrice appeared to well up at the emotional service
• The Queen paid tribute to Prince Philip in a thanksgiving service honouring his life
• A body language expert said Prince Andrew remains the Queen’s favourite child
• The Queen left a personal tribute to Prince Philip in the flowers at his service
• The Monarch, Princess Anne and Camilla all gave a subtle nod to the Duke of Edinburgh with their outfits

Meanwhile, the congregation – which included family, friends, dignitaries and representatives of the many organisations with which the Duke of Edinburgh was associated – had arrived for the event earlier in the morning.

Andrew, who stepped down from public life over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was handed a front row seat in the Abbey, sitting close to his other siblings.

On his left was his brother, the Earl of Wessex and Edward’s family, the Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

Across the aisle on his right was the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princes of Wales and the Queen.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte also attended the service with their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, sitting behind the Queen.

Behind Andrew and Edward’s family were Peter Phillips, and Zara and Mike Tindall and their daughters.

Hundreds of people including nearly 30 foreign royals and scores of representatives from Philip’s charities are gathering for the special thanksgiving service in honour of the country’s longest serving consort.

The poignant service has also seen royals from across Europe jetting in for the ceremony along with 500 guests from the Duke of Edinburgh’s charities and patronages.

It means Andrew, who was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages in January, is likely to bump into representatives from charities and organisations from which he has been forced to step down.

Andrew has always denied all allegations against him.

The duke, who wore a lounge suit for the occasion rather than a military uniform, was not present at Westminster Abbey earlier this month for the Commonwealth Day Service attended by senior royals.

He did, however, attend his father’s funeral last April, and it’s likely today’s final farewell will likely mark one of his last public appearances.

Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were by their father’s side for their grandfather’s memorial, with Beatrice becoming visibly emotional.

Boris and Carrie Johnson also showed their support after the PM was forced to apologise to the Queen over lockdown-busting parties at No10 on the eve of Philip’s scaled-back funeral.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not fly in from the States, however, amid a row over their security.