Prince Andrew will miss Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first public appearance with Royal Family since Megxit
PRINCE Andrew will miss Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first public appearance with the Royal Family since Megxit.
The 60-year-old won't be at this year's Commonwealth Day Service after stepping back from royal life amid mounting criticism over his friendship with paedo Jeffrey Epstein.
And the Queen will be joined by a drastically different Royal Family at the March 9 event compared to last year.
Twelve months ago, Meghan Markle was pregnant with baby Archie, with the couple seen smiling with Prince William and Kate Middleton and sitting with Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey.
But since then, Prince Andrew was forced to step back from his role in disgrace after a car crash interview with Newsnight to defend his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted paedophile who died in jail while awaiting trial for sex trafficking offences.
And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex themselves quit the Royal Family - announcing in a dramatic statement they were moving to North America to become financially independent.
Now, next week's service will mark the first and last time Meghan and Harry will publicly join the Royal Family before their Megxit date of April 1.
They are expected to appear alongside the Queen, Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as Prince Charles and Camilla for the service.
It is understood the couple may be leaving their nine-month-old son Archie back in Canada as they complete their last engagements with the Royal Family this week.
Prince Harry has already conducted two engagements after returning to the UK, with Meghan expected to join him in the next 48 hours.
And his return saw the 35-year-old sit down with his grandmother the Queen for a heart-to-hear talk about his future.
It was claimed the 93-year-monarch assured her grandson he would be welcomed back if they ever decide to rejoin the royals.
Sources have previously claimed Her Majesty had been left upset over the couple's decision to leave the Royal Family - but understood and supported them.
The couple made headlines after releasing a bombshell statement revealing they were quitting the Firm in January, just months after Prince Andrew's scandal.
The duke was today pictured driving his Green Bentley as he left his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
And sources claimed Prince Andrew was one person that Meghan Markle would not miss amid the move to North America - saying she considered him to be the "ultimate embarrassing uncle".
It was also claimed Meghan was left troubled hearing Prince Andrew's car crash interview about his friendship with paedo Epstein - with the royal saying it was a "positive act to have sex with somebody" as a man.
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During the BBC interview, Andrew had said he would have to consult with his lawyers before testifying under oath about his ties to Epstein.
And in a statement after the broadcast, he said: “Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
But the FBI has since claimed they have received "zero cooperation" from the royal.
