Prince Andrew's role at Prince Philip's memorial service 'didn't happen by chance'

The Duke of York’s prominent appearance at his father’s memorial service was the Queen’s way of showing that her second son still has a role to play at family occasions, according to a royal commentator.

Andrew was front and centre of the high-profile occasion at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday. It is despite paying millions out of court earlier this month to settle a civil sexual assault case.

The duke escorted his mother and had a front row seat at the televised service. It was his first public appearance since the settlement to his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

READ MORE: Concern for 'frail' Queen at Prince Philip memorial service as others hit out at 'bad call'

Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the “downside” of Andrew having such a prominent role is that it is a reminder of his “many errors of judgment that have led him to being removed from public life”.

Mr Hunt tweeted that in having Andrew carry out his role, it was a sign of the Queen “endorsing” him, and he told the PA news agency: “It didn’t happen by chance.

“He could have sat in the congregation with others, with his relatives, but they actively decided that he would have this role of supporting her. So she has chosen, in essence, to remind people that he hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, he’s not guilty of anything, he’s innocent. And she’s very clearly stating that he has a role at family occasions.”

Mr Hunt raised the question of whether the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge would have been supportive of Andrew having this role at the service. What do you make of his role - share your thoughts in our comments.

“It’s one thing to accept that he should attend his father’s memorial service, it’s quite another thing to then give him quite a