Queen Camilla continued with her royal duties by attending the Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire on Saturday. The appearance came just one day after Prince Andrew relinquished his dukedom and remaining honours in a bid to protect the monarchy from ongoing scandal.
The Queen's brother-in-law was further banished from the royal family on Friday over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, which he denies. He will no longer join King Charles, Camilla and other royals on Christmas Day or at the Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle each year.
Royal duties continue at races
Camilla, a keen racing fan, was dressed in a pale blue coat, pearl drop earrings and cream hat with matching blue ribbon. She was spotted happily chatting to royal racing manager John Warren during the event.
The Queen also presented jockey Jason Watson with a trophy after he won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Cicero's Gift. King Charles's niece Zara Tindall, wearing a navy coat and burgundy headwear with feather detail, presented the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes to Jamie Spencer for his win on Powerful Glory.
Andrew's royal banishment
Charles, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family consulted with Andrew before the prince released his statement through Buckingham Palace. There had long been calls for him to give up his dukedom, which he received from his mother the late Queen on the morning of his 1986 wedding, and which linked him with the city of York.
Andrew remains a prince and keeps the 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor Great Park as his home. The decision follows mounting pressure over his association with the convicted sex offender Epstein.
Recent revelations intensify pressure
Just days ago, it emerged Andrew told Epstein "we are in this together" and "keep in close touch" in a 2011 email. This was three months after he said he had stopped all contact with the convicted sex offender.
Virginia Giuffre's posthumous book, due out on Tuesday, has focused further attention on the sexual assault allegations. The book reveals how Andrew insisted his accuser sign a one-year gag order after their settlement to prevent spoiling Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
