Prince Andrew thanks Queen for ‘compassion and confidence’ as he pays tribute

Duke of York says he will miss his mother’s ‘insights, advice and humour’

Prince Andrew has issued a tribute to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, ahead of her funeral tomorrow.

The Duke of York said in a statement: “Dear Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one.

“Your Majesty, it has been an honour and privilege to serve you. Mother – of the nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular; your people show their love and respect in so many different ways, and I know you are looking on, honouring their respect.

The Queen and Prince Andrew at Ascot in 2017 (Getty)

“Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, with no boundary or containment.

“I will miss your insights, advice and humour. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide.

“God save the King.”

Andrew accompanied his words with a black-and-white photo taken by society photographer Cecil Beaton of his mother holding him as a baby in March 1960.

He joined his elder brother, King Charles, and their siblings in a vigil at Westminster Hall on Friday. The King, Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward stood in silence around the Queen’s coffin as members of the public filed through the hall.

The Queen’s children had four days earlier taken part in a vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The Queen holding an infant Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral in November 1960 (PA)

Andrew was said to be the Queen’s favourite son, despite the embarrassment his actions caused to the family.

He stepped back from public life in 2019 over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, and went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case brought by a woman he claimed never to have met.

Virginia Giuffre sued the prince for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in Florida, after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew denied the claims.

In January, ahead of the legal settlement, the Queen stripped the prince of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his right to style himself HRH.

In March, Andrew settled out of court with Ms Giuffre for an estimated £10m.