Disgraced Prince Andrew to miss Queen's Jubilee celebrations after testing positive for covid

The Duke of York has tested positive for Covid and will no longer attend the Jubilee service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Andrew had caught the virus on Thursday afternoon. The short statement came after a delighted Queen had taken centre stage at her historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations as she greeted crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Huge cheers erupted from the thousands of well-wishers packed onto The Mall in central London as the monarch emerged for the special flypast after Trooping the Colour.Wearing sunglasses, the 96-year-old sovereign looked joyful as she surveyed the patriotic scenes, giving broad smiles as she enjoyed the aircraft display.It was the second of two appearances from the monarch on the balcony on Thursday - the start of the special extended Jubilee weekend marking her 70-year-reign.The Queen limited those on the balcony for the flypast to working members of her family, her Cambridge great-grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren - a move she took after "careful consideration" the Palace said.It meant there was no place for the Sussexes, who caused a royal crisis by quitting as senior royals, nor her disgraced second son the Duke of York.Andrew, who paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case, was also absent from the mass royal-gathering at Trooping.A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "After undertaking a routine test The Duke has tested positive for Covid and with regret will no longer be attending tomorrow's service."It is understood Andrew saw the Queen in the last few days but has been undertaking regular testing and has not seen her since he tested positive. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond