Why is Prince Andrew not wearing his military uniform? Will he wear medals for Queen’s procession and funeral

Prince Andrew, alongside Prince Harry, did not wear military uniform during the Queen’s lying in state vigil on Wednesday (14 September).

Only working royals, which Andrew and Harry are not, are being allowed to dress in uniform at five ceremonial occasions.

These include the St Giles’ Cathedral service in Edinburgh, which took place on Monday (12 September), and the coffin’s procession to Westminster Hall, the vigil at the lying in state, the funeral in Westminster Abbey and the committal service in Windsor.

However, this comes after an exception was made for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to be able to wear military uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen when he stands guard around her coffin during the Vigil of the Princes.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was denied the chance and will be in civilian dress for official events including the late monarch’s state funeral which will take place on Monday 19 September.

Why is Prince Andrew allowed to wear military uniform for the vigil?

Prince Andrew is permitted to wear military uniform as he is a former Royal Navy officer who served in the Falklands War and retained his rank as a Vice Admiral.

However, he decided not to wear his uniform on Wednesday (14 September) during the Queen’s lying in state vigil.

He served in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot and instructor and as the captain of a warship.

During the Falklands War, he flew on multiple missions including anti-surface warfare, casualty evacuation, and Exocet missile decoy.

The Duke had a 22-year career in the Royal Navy and also commanded the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore. He is expected to wear the coinciding uniform.

However, at the service of thanksgiving in St Giles’ on Monday, Andrew was in a morning suit, while his siblings, including Edward who dropped out of the Royal Marines, wore military dress as they processed behind the Queen’s coffin.

Prince Andrew wore eight medals and decorations, which include his South Atlantic Medal for service in the Falklands, his Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum medals, a Royal Navy Long Service Medals with Bars, Canadian Forces Decoration with Bar and New Zealand Commemoration Medal.

Why is the decision controversial?

Prince Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

He went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to a woman he claimed never to have met.

In January, ahead of his legal settlement, the Queen stripped him of all of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his HRH style.

Virginia Giuffre sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein.

Prince Andrew has consistently denied the claims.

Will Prince Andrew wear military uniform for the funeral?

Prince Andrew will not wear uniform for the Queen’s funeral or other ceremonial events in the coming days.

While working royals including the King, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex will parade in military uniform at the state funeral next Monday and on other occasions, Prince Andrew will not - apart from at the vigil.

Why should Prince Harry be allowed to wear uniform?

Prince Harry is an ex-soldier who is proud of his decade in the forces and was saddened after being stripped of his honorary military roles including Captain General of the Royal Marines by the Queen post-Megxit.

His disgraced uncle being allowed to wear his military uniform will likely come as a bitter blow.

Earlier on Monday (12 September), he wrote of his special memories of when the Queen attended his passing out parade in 2006 when he became an officer in the British Army.

He told of his “first meeting” with his Granny as “my Commander-in-Chief” and was believed to be referring to the occasion when the late monarch made him grin and blush while she reviewed the cadets.

A source confirmed Harry would not be in uniform for any events.