“Dear Mummy, it has been an honour,” Prince Andrew pays tribute to the Queen
18 September 2022, 14:14
The Duke of York has issued a tribute to his mother, the late Queen saying her 'devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular.'
The Queen's eldest son wrote: "Dear Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one.
"Your Majesty, it has been an honour and privilege to serve you. Mother - of the nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular; your people show their love and respect in so many different ways and I know you are looking on honouring their respect.
"Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, with no boundary or containment.
Read more: ER initials removed from Prince Harry's uniform at vigil but Andrew's remain
"I will miss your insights, advice and humour. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide.
"God Save The King."
Andrew accompanied his words with a black and white photo taken by society photographer Cecil Beaton of his mother holding him as a newborn in March 1960.
Andrew, who stepped down from public life over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, said "As our book of experiences closes, another opens", adding and that he would "tread gladly into the next with you as my guide."
The Queen's disgraced second son went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to a woman he claimed never to have met.
Virginia Giuffre sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew denied the claims.
In January, ahead of his legal settlement, the Queen stripped him of all of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his HRH style.
