QUEEN AT SERVICE FOR PHILIP WITH ANDREW AT HER SIDE

Queen gives show of support to Andrew as she says emotional farewell to Philip

- Robert Jobson

The Queen arriving for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey for Prince Philip today. She was accompanied by shamed Prince Andrew

THE Queen today gave a show of support to her disgraced son Prince Andrew as she paid a poignant farewell to her husband Prince Philip.

The Duke of York, often dubbed his mother’s “favourite son”, escorted her as they travelled by car from Windsor to the Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey.

It was his first public appearance since he paid a £7 million settlement to Virginia Giuffre earlier this month to drop the civil sex assault case brought against him in the US.

It is understood there was a family discussion yesterday about Andrew’s involvement but the Queen was said to be “insistent” that she wanted him to accompany her.

The duke, 62, was effectively retired off in disgrace in January on the orders of the future kings, his brother the Prince of Wales and nephew Prince William.

But it is understood that the Queen insisted he ride with her and act as her supporter for the service.

The 95-year-old monarch, making her first major public appearance in nearly six months, had been determined to attend the Service of Thanksgiving to her “strength and stay” at the Abbey where they were married on November 20, 1947.