Prince Andrew unlikely to have any role at the coronation as King carefully considers his next move

The Duke of York is not likely to have an official role at the coronation of his brother, the King.

King Charles III is said to be carefully considering how to involve Prince Andrew in the solemn occasion, if at all, after his very public fall from grace.

The duke, 62, stepped down from royal duties in November 2019 over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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He handed back most patronages and military honours to the late Queen soon after, but still retails his place as Knight of the Garter.

That order of chivalry has traditionally performed a key role at coronations.

At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, the four Knights of the Garter were chosen to support Her Majesty by standing at the four corners of the Coronation Chair during the anointing.

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Those Knights of the Garter chosen to do the same for King Charles on May 6 have yet to be named publicly.

However, Prince Andrew was absent from last year's Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle, instead taking part in the events behind the scenes rather than the public portion of the day.

That was reportedly due to an objection by Prince William and then-Prince Charles, who believed Andrew's presence would overshadow the occasion.

Prince William was said to have given his grandmother an ultimatum, telling the monarch "it's him or me" when his uncle had initially insisted on being at the ceremony

The coronation will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey followed by an appearance by the King and Queen Consort on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

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There will also be a procession to and from the Abbey by members of the royal family.

Being a state occasion, instead of a family one, Prince Andrew is not expected to play an official role as he's no longer a working royal.

That distinction will also see him excluded from the balcony appearance following the coronation, with Prince Harry and Meghan also to be barred from joining the royals at Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowds below.

Invitations for the coronation are due to be sent out imminently, with the guest list restricted to around 2000 – much smaller than the 8000 who attend the 1953 coronation.

The coronation weekend will also include a open-air concert at Windsor Castle, with some members of the royal family expected to be among those watching from VIP vantage points.