PRINCE ANDREW will play a prominent role in today’s memorial service for Prince Phillip according to a leading royal expert.

Robert Jobson said the Duke of York could even be by the Queen’s side during the event at Westminster Abbey this morning.

Jobson, the author of a new book called Prince Philip’s Century, told GB News: “I think Prince Andrew may play a more prominent role than we think.

“My understanding is that someone has to support the Queen and I think he’ll be at her side.

“I think Charles will probably be with Camilla, we’ll have to see what happens, but I know that has been discussed.”

Speaking on GB News’ Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Wesbter, he said he expected that she would make every effort to attend today.

“If she’s in some discomfort, I think the discomfort won’t discourage her from being there.,” he said.

“There’ll be organisation of how to get her there in the best way possible.

“But with all those heads of state foreign crown princes and kings and queens, the queen there, the Royal Family there and the fact that it’s for him.

“And I think that she’ll make every effort to come in through the front door and the best to get to the position with the walking stick.”

Jobson said some 700 charities and groups supported by royal patronage would be represented at today’s event and that the royals have a deep involvement in all levels of British society.

Asked by host Eamonn Holmes about who Prince Phillip got on with least in the family, Jobson said: “I think his relationship with his eldest son, Prince Charles is an interesting one. And it certainly improved over the years towards the end.

“They were very, very close but certainly I think in the early years, it was a difficult relationship.”