Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor is still expected to be granted a royal ceremonial funeral, despite his extraordinary fall from grace and the loss of his royal titles.
Senior figures in Whitehall have told The Mail on Sunday that the former Duke of York remains included on a confidential government register of royals earmarked for prominent funeral arrangements, even after stepping back into life as a private citizen amid continuing scrutiny over his ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The arrangement, understood to be highly sensitive given the controversy surrounding him, is said to form part of the Government’s long-standing “bridge” plans — the detailed contingency blueprints drawn up years in advance for the funerals of senior members of the Royal Family.
The late Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in 2022 was carried out under the plan known as Operation London Bridge, while Prince Philip’s funeral was prepared under Operation Forth Bridge, named after the landmark near Edinburgh.
The precise details of Mountbatten–Windsor’s funeral plans have not been disclosed, but royal commentators believe any service would most likely take place at St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle — the same historic setting used for the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The 14th-century chapel has long been central to royal life, serving as the backdrop for christenings and major royal weddings, including the 2018 marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Mountbatten–Windsor is also expected to be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, the private 33-acre cemetery within Home Park at Windsor.
Among those already buried at Frogmore are King Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936 following the scandal over his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, who was later buried beside him.
Senior Whitehall sources have told The Mail on Sunday that the former Duke of York remains on a secret government list of royals who will receive high–profile funerals
Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor (left) with Virginia Giuffre (centre) and Ghislaine Maxwell (right) in 2001
Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein in 2011. The former prince became a private citizen following revelations of his friendship with the paedophile financier
It is not expected that the plan for 66–year–old Mountbatten–Windsor, which is overseen by the Cabinet Office and kept under constant review, will be required for some time, given that he appears to be in good health.
But on Saturday US lawyer Gloria Allred, who has represented 27 of Epstein’s victims, said: ‘Andrew has brought disgrace upon the Royal Family and the UK as a result of his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.
‘Under these circumstances, the question arises as to why this man should be afforded the honour of a royal funeral. What kind of message would such a ceremony send to Epstein’s victims?
‘Additionally, why should UK taxpayers bear the burden of paying his expenses either in life or after his death?’
Alicia Kearns, Tory shadow Home Office minister, said: ‘There are no circumstances under which Andrew should be afforded a royal funeral.
‘He should live out his days far from public life, and the police and CPS should ensure their investigations into him are robust and don’t drag on. All such plans should be revoked immediately.’
Norman Baker, a former government minister and expert in royal finances, said: ‘This must be an oversight. Mr Mountbatten–Windsor is a commoner and should in no way be getting any sort of royal funeral.’
The ‘bridge’ plan for Andrew is likely to have been revised in the past year to take into account that he is no longer a working royal. In a humiliating blow, King Charles stripped his brother of his HRH style and prince title in November last year.
Although the details of the arrangements for Mountbatten–Windsor’s funeral are unknown, royal experts believe a service would be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
Royal experts believe Mountbatten–Windsor’s funeral would be similar to that of Princess Margaret, who died in 2002 aged 71 after a stroke and cardiac complications. A 400–strong congregation, including 30 royals, attended a private service in St George’s Chapel. Flags were flown at half–mast at all royal residences throughout a six–day period of mourning.
Ahead of the funeral, the princess’s coffin was laid in Kensington Palace, where her family paid their respects. It was draped in Margaret’s standard and a spray of white lilies and roses and was then taken to the Queen’s Chapel at St James’s Palace.
The coffin was then driven to Windsor where police had to erect barriers for 3,000 people to watch the cortege enter the castle gates.
In a break from royal tradition, which is unlikely to feature in Mountbatten–Windsor’s plans, Princess Margaret was later cremated at Slough Crematorium.
While not an official state or public occasion, the funeral was a major royal event that was accompanied by a costly policing and security operation.
One delicate matter the former Duke may have to ponder in the coming years is who will act as pallbearers during his ceremony.
Servicemen from regiments associated with members of the Royal Family normally have the honour of carrying their coffin.
Eight sergeants from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, of which Princess Margaret was the colonel–in–chief, carried her coffin.
Tory Shadow Home Office Minister Alicia Kearns (pictured in the Commons last November) said: ‘There are no circumstances under which Andrew should be afforded a royal funeral’
Tory MP Joe Robertson (pictured) said: ‘Public funds should not bankroll Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor’s funeral. He has lost all his royal titles and publicly funded roles for a reason’
Mountbatten–Windsor served in the Royal Navy, including during the Falklands War as a Sea King helicopter co–pilot, and was the honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards, the Royal Irish Regiment, and the Royal Regiment of Scotland. However, he lost his military titles amid the Epstein scandal.
Retired Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who captained the Royal Navy’s HMS Fearless, said he believed the Navy would ask for volunteers to act as pallbearers.
‘The guy doesn’t relinquish being a naval officer,’ he said. ‘He wasn’t thrown out. He had a Falklands medal and you can’t take that away from him and he deserves the credit for that. If somebody said to me ‘Would you do it?’, I’d do it.’
US lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who represented nine of Epstein’s victims, said: ‘Taxpayers should not ever be funding a funeral for a private individual. No public money should be used to benefit him during death. It’s an embarrassment to the Crown.’
Tory MP Joe Robertson said: ‘Public funds should not bankroll Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor’s funeral. He has lost all his royal titles and publicly funded roles for a reason. He is an ordinary citizen – one who still has a lot of questions to answer – and his funeral should be paid for privately just like everyone else.’
The Cabinet Office and Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Mountbatten–Windsor did not respond to a request to comment.
