The Queen's decision to ban Prince Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations proves 'there is no way back' for the disgraced duke, royal experts said today.
Andrew, 62, may still appear at other events over the Jubilee weekend, but his mother's decision to exclude him from one of the most quintessential moments of any major royal event is a powerful symbolic snub.
The Royal Family's appearance on the balcony during the RAF flypast is a traditional highlight of Trooping the Colour - the spectacular start of her Platinum Jubilee long weekend.
‘Andrew must surely realise that there is absolutely no way back for him,' Royal author Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.
'This clarifies matters, and it was essential to do so as his involvement in any event is so damaging for the reputation of the Royal Family.'
Biographer Tom Bower was equally emphatic, saying Andrew had been 'ordered to disappear'.
Only senior royals will be allowed to appear on the balcony on the Queen's official birthday, meaning Prince Andrew's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie will not be invited.
However, the Queen is understood to be making a special effort to include the princesses in every other aspect of the celebrations, Daily Mail Royal editor Rebecca English reports.
Meghan and Harry will also be barred, it emerged today. Today, they promised to be in Britain with their children for the Jubilee next month - in a bombshell announcement made just minutes after the official statement from the palace.
Prince Andrew standing by the Queen's side during Trooping the Colour on June 9, 2018. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said his mother's decision to ban him from appearing this year showed 'there is no way back for him'
Today's news is yet another public humiliation for Andrew.
A slew of authorities, institutions, schools and even golf clubs have all sought to distance themselves from the duke since he settled his civil case with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre for £12million, despite denying any wrongdoing.
The Queen's decision to publicly exclude him from a crucial family moment is likely to be particularly hurtful, not least due to his fondness for appearing at his mother's side at public events and
