Prince Andrew seen for first time after claims he ‘lobbied hard’ to stop Charles from becoming King

PRINCE Andrew was today seen for first time since it was claimed he “lobbied hard” to stop Charles from becoming King.

The Duke of York, 62, was pictured riding his horse along the banks of the River Thames in Windsor earlier.

Richard Gillard

Prince Andrew spotted riding his horse along the banks of the River Thames on 24 September 2022 in Windsor England[/caption]

It is the first time he has been spotted since a source alleged Andrew campaigned against his brother taking up the throne.

Royal biographer Angela Levin quoted the source in her new book, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: From Outcast to Queen Consort, who alleged Andrew hoped Prince William would be crowned instead.

Citing a “senior insider”, Ms Levin wrote: “Andrew lobbied very hard with the hope that Charles would not become king when his mother died, and that William would wear the crown.”

The source alleged Andrew wanted his nephew to have the crown before he was 18 so he could take the position as Regent.

It comes as the Royal Family remains in mourning for the Queen following her state funeral on Monday.

Andrew – who was stripped of his military patronages because of his sex abuse court case – was briefly allowed to wear his military uniform as he stood vigil next to their mother’s coffin in Westminster Hall last week.

He also greeted mourners at Balmoral shortly after Her Majesty’s death.

And while out riding today, the duke continued to wear his Grenadier Guards kit – despite being stripped of his privileges by the Queen.

Andrew was a colonel of the Grenadier Guards but had the ceremonial title removed because of his sex abuse court case and links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

While the duke denied all the allegations against him, he was criticised for wearing the kit back in July.

Former Grenadier Guard Julian Perreira, who served three tours of Afghanistan, said: “It’s wholly inappropriate that he continues to wear the uniform.

“He has been asked to leave and hand over his title. He is continuing to tarnish the regiment.

“He didn’t serve in the Grenadier Guards, it was only ceremonial so he has no right to continue to wear the royal cypher.

“But no one can officially tell him to stop wearing it and he knows he can get away with it.”

When asked whether Andrew lobbied to stop Charles becoming King, the duke’s representatives declined to comment.

Richard Gillard

Prince Andrew spotted riding his horse in Windsor earlier today[/caption]

Richard Gillard

The Duke of York wore a Grenadier Guards jumper – despite being criticised for doing so earlier in summer[/caption]