Andrew’s family is going through the most difficult phase since the last publication in the Epstein affair, taking every measure carefully to avoid media attention as the former Duke and Duchess of York’s relationships have engulfed the entire family.
King Charles’ niece has already impressed the royal family with her deeply emotional decision on her auspicious day.
She sacrificed one of the best seats in St. George’s Chapel, deliberately leaving it empty as a tribute to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
Her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018 attracted around 900 guests and millions of viewers worldwide. She left an empty front row seat at the ceremony.
Eagle-eyed royal watchers noticed a conspicuous empty chair, with some speculating it was reserved in memory of a deceased relative or marked the absence of a guest.
However, the chair remained empty for Queen Elizabeth. Reportedly, long-standing protocol clearly states that no guest should be seated in front of the monarch in a way that would block her line of sight during the service.
A palace aide said of the empty chair: “For Eugenie and Jack’s wedding, this seemingly minor adjustment was to ensure the Queen was comfortable and able to watch every moment as her granddaughter married the man she loved.”
In Eugenie’s case, the Queen chose not to occupy the front row seat herself, apparently because she did not find it comfortable.
Instead, the late monarch chose to sit in the second row next to her husband Philip, leaving the chair in front intentionally vacant so that nothing blocked the view of her granddaughter exchanging vows.
Eugénie’s gesture won hearts, explaining her lifelong closeness with her grandmother, whom she affectionately called “Grannie”.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, alongside sister Eugenie, as well as Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall occupied the front row.
In the second row with the Queen and Philip were Prince Charles, Prince William, his wife Catherine, Prince Harry and Markle, who had married in the same chapel five months earlier.
