Prince Andrew has attended his first major international event since the scandal surrounding his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein re-emerged.
The Duke of York was present in his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards at a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bruges this morning, laying a wreath at the Charles II memorial.
Andrew made a return to his royal duties in the
UK last week at the Dartmouth Royal Regatta in Devon, where he met with the public during the event’s 175th anniversary celebrations.
He was a guest of Prince Laurent of
Belgium, the brother of King Phillipe, and the pair later inspected a guard of honour in the market square.
Andrew stared directly at the bank of photographers and camera crews waiting for him at the memorial, and fumbled with the wreath – initially attempting to hook it to the stand before being assisted by an official.
The duke, who did not speak during the public event, is due to take part in a private ceremony this afternoon at the Guild of Saint Sebastian to raise the
British and Belgian flags.
It is the duke’s most significant public engagement since his friend Epstein was found hanged in his cell on August 10 in
New York while facing fresh charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy.
The disgraced financier admitted prostituting minors in 2008 and spent 18 months in prison.
Andrew, who has repeatedly denied any involvement in any wrongdoing, has faced a fresh wave of widespread speculation concerning his relationship with Epstein.
He was photographed with the billionaire in New York’s Central Park in December 2010 following Epstien’s release from prison.
Buckingham Palace has also been forced to issue strong denials over allegations made by
Virginia Roberts in court papers in
Florida that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in the state.
The palace called the allegations “false and without any foundation”, saying “any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors” by the duke was “categorically untrue”.
Andrew said in a statement on August 24: “At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to [Epstein’s] arrest and conviction.”
The prince’s host in Bruges, Prince Laurent, is himself no stranger to controversy, earning himself the nickname of “the cursed prince” in the Belgian press.
He has frequently found himself at the centre of criticism for undertaking what many have seen as diplomatic activity without the consent of the nation’s parliament.
Last year his annual stipend was docked for attending an event at the Chinese embassy to mark the 90th anniversary of the Chinese military whilst wearing full military uniform without authorisation.
Today, the prince wore a sash of his country’s colours as he joined Andrew for the inspection of the guards.
The duke took over the role of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards from his father the Duke of Edinburgh in December 2017.
The Grenadiers have been associated with the city of Bruges since King Charles II formed a royal regiment there in 1656 while he was in exile before the restoration of the British monarchy.Related... Prince Andrew Returns To Royal Duties As Epstein Controversy Continues Prince Andrew 'Knows What He's Done', Says Alleged Epstein Victim Virginia Giuffre Jeffrey Epstein Accusers Get Their Day In Court After His Death