Prince Andrew has been seen just days before a royal event that he and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are not invited to.
The Duke of York appeared in high spirits during a horse ride around Windsor on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by Terry Pendry, the late Queen's long-standing stud groom.
The 65-year-old Duke of York was photographed beaming with excitement whilst wearing riding gear including a helmet and gloves, paired with a khaki jacket.
Pendry, who rode with Queen Elizabeth II for 28 years and was considered one of her most trusted servants, joined the King's younger brother for the outing.
Andrew, Beatrice and Eugenie snubbed from royal event as Duke seen days before ceremony.
Getty
The stud groom once looked after approximately 100 of the Royal Family's horses and ponies.
Later in the day, the Duke was spotted behind the wheel of a car wearing a burgundy top, appearing relaxed during his Windsor activities.
The Duke's solo appearance comes just days before he will be excluded from the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London.
King Charles and senior members of the Royal Family will gather for the traditional event without Prince Andrew on Saturday.
Prince Andrew was spotted horse riding at Windsor estate (stock pic).
GettyHis Majesty will be joined by his siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward, alongside Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, Timothy Laurence and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Prince and Princess of Wales's three children - Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven - are also expected to attend the ceremony.
The Duke of York's absence from the prestigious royal event marks another public occasion from which he will be notably missing as he continues to remain outside the working Royal Family.
Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will also be absent from the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth II and Terry Pendry pictured in 2021.
Their absence from the ceremony reflects the current structure of royal appearances at major state occasions.
The restriction to working members of the Royal Family and their children at Trooping the Colour follows a precedent established towards the end of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
This protocol limits attendance at the sovereign's official birthday celebration to those actively undertaking royal duties on behalf of the monarch.
The policy effectively excludes non-working royals from participating in the ceremonial parade and balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace, i.e., Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Prince Andrew.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attending Trooping the Colour in 2016 before it was changed to working-royals only.
PA
Under this arrangement, only those who carry out official engagements and represent the Crown at public events are permitted to take part in major state occasions - the King and Queen, the Waleses, the Edinburghs, Princess Anne, the Gloucesters, and the Duke of Kent.
The precedent has continued under King Charles III's reign, maintaining the distinction between working and non-working members of the Royal Family at significant ceremonial events.
This explains why Prince Andrew, who stepped back from public duties in 2019, will not be present at the upcoming ceremony.
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