Prince Andrew makes rare public appearance at Duchess of Kent funeral

The royal family gathered to mourn the late Duchess of Kent today, marking a rare public appearance for Prince Andrew.

He was pictured with King Charles III, Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales, at the Westminster Cathedral service.

The Independent reports William “stared straight ahead” when the 65-year-old spoke to him, while the King is said to have exchanged some brief words with his brother.

Prince William and wife Kate pictured with Prince Andrew at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. Photo / Getty Images.

It was a rare appearance for the Duke of York, who has stepped out of the public eye after a disastrous television interview linking him to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.

Queen Elizabeth II stripped her beloved second son of his military titles and patronages that same year.

While he has continued to attend family outings, Prince Andrew is no longer a working member of the firm.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, embraces her father-in-law, King Charles. Photo / WireImage

Prince Andrew attended the service with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Photo / Getty.

The disgraced royal arrived at the mass with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, whom he has remained close with since their divorce.

Reports suggest the Duke of York may be further implicated in the ongoing Epstein saga as emails between the pair are being reviewed by United States Congress.

The family of Virginia Giuffre, a key whistleblower of Epstein’s abuse, recently called for the Prince to be formally investigated, the BBC reports.

Giuffre died in April this year in a suspected suicide.

Prince Andrew settled out of court with Giuffre after she alleged he sexually assaulted her three times in the early 2000s.

King Charles III arrives at Westminster Cathedral to attend a funeral service for the Duchess of Kent. Photo / Getty Images

Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, was the oldest living royal before she died on September 4 aged 92.

A devout Catholic, the Duchess has made British history as the first royal to have a Roman Catholic funeral.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales arrive for the funeral. Photo / Getty

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, arrives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Photo / Getty

The Queen was not in attendance at the historic service due to a bout of acute sinusitis, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.

The spokesperson said her “thoughts and prayers will be with the Duke of Kent and all the family”.

With US President Donald Trump set to arrive on Wednesday, her absence has fuelled speculation about whether Camilla will be well enough to attend this week’s formal engagements.