Prince Andrew speaks for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death

RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew speaks after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth.

On Sunday, the Duke of York, 62, shared a personal statement alongside a photo of himself as a baby with his mother.

“Dear Mama, Mother, Majesty, three in one,” his statement began. “Your Majesty, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve you. Mother of the Nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and one of a kind; Your people show their love and respect in so many different ways, and I know you look forward to honoring their respect.”

“Mom, your love for a son, your compassion, your being, your trust I will forever cherish,” he continued. “I have found your knowledge and wisdom to be inviting, with no limits or limitations. I will miss your insights, advice and humor. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you in my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will gladly enter the next with you as my guide.”

“God save the King,” he concluded his statement in support of his brother King Charles.

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The Duke of York Prince Andrew and Queen Elizabeth

There has been a lot of talk about Andrew’s involvement in his mother’s funeral. The Queen’s son is no longer a senior working royal following his friendship with recently convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was stripped of his military titles and royal patronage in January 2022 after being accused of sexual assault by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a victim of Epstein’s former ring. Andrew was also banned from using his HRH (“His Royal Highness”) title in his sexual assault case. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

During a procession earlier this week behind his mother’s coffin, Andrew was barred from wearing a military uniform like his siblings and nephew Prince William. Prince Harry was also not allowed to wear a uniform at the procession as he stepped down from his royal role in 2020.

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Kate Green/Getty Prince Andrew and Prince Harry on September 14

However, a special exception was made when Prince Andrew wore a military uniform at a solemn vigil alongside his three siblings on Friday, as a mark of respect for his mother and his monarch, who died on April 9th.

Despite his retirement from public life, Prince Andrew played a prominent role at the funeral service for his father, Prince Philip, earlier this year. In an unexpected move, he accompanied his mother to the service by car and escorted her down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince Edward, Prince Andrew and King Charles at a vigil for his mother Queen Elizabeth on September 16

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Royal commentator Robert Jobson told PEOPLE that there was unease among senior members of the royal family about the Queen’s decision, “but she insisted”.

“It shows that she loves her son with all her heart and believes in him,” said Jobson, author of Prince Philip’s Century.