Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew arrive in Westminster Abbey, in London, England on Tuesday, for Prince Philip's memorial service. [RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AP]

Observers surprised that disgraced duke walked queen into Prince Philip service

Queen Elizabeth II has been criticized for allowing her embattled son, Prince Andrew, to accompany her to a memorial service that celebrated the life of her late husband, Prince Philip.

Andrew, who had been accused in a civil case in the United States of sexually assaulting a young woman and who paid an undisclosed sum to settle that case, walked his mother into the 45-minute memorial service on Tuesday, at London's Westminster Abbey.

He also traveled with the queen from nearby Windsor Castle.

Some critics said it would have been better for the royals if Andrew, who is also known as the Duke of York and who stepped down from public life over his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, had a lower profile at the event.

The BBC's former royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Express newspaper: "This was her way of quietly showing 'OK, he messed up really badly, this was a disgrace, but he is my son'."

Peter Hunt, another former royal correspondent, tweeted his surprise at "the queen endorsing Andrew after he paid millions to a woman he says he has no recollection of ever meeting".

The Daily Mail newspaper quoted an unnamed family source as saying senior members of the royal group were "dismayed" by Andrew's appearance at the service, which looked back on the long life of Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021 aged 99.

The service, which was delayed because of rules aimed at restricting the spread of the novel coronavirus that were in place at the time of Philip's death, was attended by 1,800 people, including members of the royal family, politicians, and representatives of the many charities Philip supported.

It was the first large-scale event the 95-year-old queen has attended this year.

The service, which took place in the venue where Philip and the queen were married in 1947, was also attended by the couple's other children-Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward-as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Prince Harry, Charles' son and Philip's grandson who now lives in the US, was the only member of the family who did not attend.

No members of the royal family, other than the queen, were seen interacting with Andrew at the event.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer were among guests that heard David Conner, the dean of Windsor, describe Philip's humor and hard work, and say "nobody would ever doubt his loyalty and deep devotion to our queen and to their family".

Conner said Philip was involved in many causes that he held dear, including "facilitating conversation between representatives of the different world faiths".

"We should not forget," Conner added. "He was sometimes wounded by being unfairly criticized or misunderstood."