Who advised the Queen to walk into the Abbey escorted by Andrew??

[TinyTortoise]

This seems to be the most tone deaf and damaging decision. It's a public facing event with international leaders and royals. If it was a closed family gathering I could understand it - he is her son still- but why on earth would they allow him to escort her to her seat?! He should be invisible from now on and never represent the RF again. He could have attended and stood somewhere out of the way. She could have chosen anyone to escort her. It's staggeringly awful!

It is awful. I didn’t see it though.

What is wrong with them?

Her husband, her choice.

She's a very elderly woman. Probably her choice

Who would argue with her to say 'no, not him'

Who would have that conversation with her and put their foot down?

He’s the only one without a convenient partner?
I did wonder wtf too

She's as much a fool as the rest of them . Her husband? I'd be even more shocked if he escorted her anywhere

It just made me think that HM chose him for the car ride as he's the closest relative.

She had every right to rely on her son at her husbands memorial service.

I meant closest as in living at Windsor.

He's her golden boy.

not envy.

Probably her choice and remember at her age her mental capacity might not be spot on .

I thought it was maybe done to sort of highlight that he’s there in a personal capacity, helping his mother, rather than anything else.

I’m not defending it, like OP I was wondering why, and just considering if that was their (ill-judged) line of thinking. If he escorts her in (especially through a different entrance), she leans on him to walk etc then he’s there to assist her. Rather than arriving and coming in with everyone else which would put him more “equal” with them.

For gods sake, theres no let up in the nastiness

She clearly doesn’t care. I think it’s sending a message that she still stands by him. Unfortunately I’ve lost all respect I had for the Queen after this whole debacle.

Her choice, her husband's memorial, her business.

I think she has well and truly shown where her loyalties lie with regard to Andrew.

No idea who would have actually advised it.

But some thoughts on why it might have been the least worst action

• it means DofY did not go in as part of the main televised royal arrivals
• it means he went in via a very short route that broadcasters barely showed (few paces only) but without anyone having to say 'don't show much if Andrew' because the reason was 'please would you limit coverage if the Queen on her feet'

• we can't know what the Queen thought, but (to nick a phrase from another context) he remains a much loved member of the family, and this was a family affair (Queen's children seated in birth order, not order of precedence)

Maybe she's literally keeping him on a short leash.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Maybe she's literally keeping him on a short leash.

As in shes keeping him away from people.

@SickAndTiredAgain

I thought it was maybe done to sort of highlight that he’s there in a personal capacity, helping his mother, rather than anything else.

I’m not defending it, like OP I was wondering why, and just considering if that was their (ill-judged) line of thinking. If he escorts her in (especially through a different entrance), she leans on him to walk etc then he’s there to assist her. Rather than arriving and coming in with everyone else which would put him more “equal” with them.

This

It was the same advisor who oversaw William and Kate's latest tour!

@thereisonlyoneofme

For gods sake, theres no let up in the nastiness

Is that directed at my OP? You do realise what Andrew did?

He is NOT an appropriate representative for this country. This was not just an old lady's private memorial for her husband, it was a public facing event.

It also meant (I believe) that the clergy did not have to line up and greet him like the other royals. So yes might have been the least worst option.

He's her son, it's his dad's memorial. He's also the only one who is single (well publicly single who knows in private) . I don't think it means anything more than a son helping his frail mother who is stubborn and won't use a wheelchair.

Maybe Harry refused to attend if he knew Andrew was going to have such a prominent role? HM has not one but TWO other sons who aren’t rapists who could have walked her in.