Royal commentator Tom Sykes has dismissed speculation that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former Duke of York, will receive an elaborate royal funeral at public expense, calling his inclusion in official contingency plans a mere administrative oversight.
Claims emerged on Sunday (August 9) suggesting Andrew remains on a confidential list of royals entitled to high-profile funerals as part of the UK Government's 'bridge' plans, which outline funeral arrangements for members of the Royal Family years in advance. The Mail on Sunday reported that under these pre-existing plans, Andrew, who has been exiled to the outer fringes of the Sandringham Estate, would receive a tribute comparable to that of Princess Margaret in 2002.
Princess Margaret's 2002 funeral as a template
Princess Margaret's funeral saw flags flown at half-mast across all royal residences and a six-day period of mourning. Her coffin lay in state at Kensington Palace for family members to pay their respects, and thousands lined the streets as the cortège made its way to Windsor. There, 30 royals formed part of a 400-strong congregation at a private service in St George's Chapel.
However, Sykes, writing in his Royalist Substack, indicated that Andrew's continued presence on the list is simply because no one has updated it. Andrew was “only officially kicked out of the royal family in October last year, and he doesn't appear to be at death's door,” Sykes noted. He expects briefings in the coming days to confirm it is “actually just an oversight, and that it's simply the case that nobody has got around to changing the plans yet.”
Sykes: No carriage procession, minimal fuss
Sykes added: “I feel pretty confident saying Andrew's body won't be getting a carriage procession through the streets of London...when the time comes, he'll be buried with a minimum of fuss, I promise you.”
The news of potentially lavish funeral arrangements provoked fury among victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Andrew maintained a close friendship. Andrew has consistently and firmly denied allegations of wrongdoing while in Epstein's company.
Outrage from Epstein victims' lawyer and politicians
Gloria Allred, a US-based lawyer who has represented 27 of Epstein's victims, said: “Andrew has brought disgrace upon the Royal Family and the UK as a result of his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Under these circumstances, the question arises as to why this man should be afforded the honour of a royal funeral.”
She added: “What kind of message would such a ceremony send to Epstein's victims? Additionally, why should UK taxpayers bear the burden of paying his expenses either in life or after his death?”
Alicia Kearns, Tory shadow Home Office minister, said: “There are no circumstances under which Andrew should be afforded a royal funeral. He should live out his days far from public life, and the police and CPS should ensure their investigations into him are robust and don't drag on. All such plans should be revoked immediately.”
