Prince Andrew has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“Dear Mama, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one,” his statement began, according to The Telegraph.
The Queen’s second-oldest son went on to honor his mother’s “dedication and personal service to our nation” before sharing his own emotions at her death at age 96.
“Mom, your love for a son, your compassion, your concern, your trust I will cherish forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, without limit or inclusion. I will miss your insights, advice and humor,” he wrote.
“As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will gladly enter the next with you as my guide.”
The Duke of York, 62, concluded his statement by writing, “God save The King.”
The loving tribute was accompanied by a black and white photograph, taken by photographer Cecil Beaton, of his mother looking thoughtful as she held her son as a newborn in March 1960.
Andrew has long been considered the Queen’s favorite child. The two had a close relationship, especially in recent years, which have been particularly difficult for the prince.
The Duke resigned from royal life after a controversial BBC interview he gave in 2019 defending his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also denied ever meeting Virginia Giuffre, who claimed to have been smuggled to the prince for sex at least three times by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Earlier this year, he settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre for millions of dollars.
During the gruesome headlines and legal headaches, the Queen remained loyal to her son.
In November 2019, days after he was forced to renounce royal life, she was photographed with him in Windsor. The public outing was seen as a personal expression of support.
“Because Prince Andrew was in ever-deeper water, she was one of the few to offer both public and private support,” The Telegraph reported.
“She paid for his legal fees and was the shoulder he leaned on over many cups of tea in the drawing room at Windsor Castle.”
And in March, despite rumored opposition from King Charles III and Prince William, it was Andrew who accompanied his mother to her seat at Westminster Abbey for a memorial service in honor of her husband, Prince Philip.
Since the Queen’s death, the Prince has been seen in public mourning his mother.
On Friday, Prince Andrew was spotted inspecting floral tributes left outside Windsor Castle with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Despite the couple divorcing in 1996, they have maintained a close relationship. In her own statement, the Duchess of York praised the Queen, calling her “the most incredible mother-in-law and friend…I will miss her more than words can express.”
Last weekend, Prince Andrew was photographed comforting his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, while members of the royal family looked at flowers and read maps in Scotland in honor of the Queen.
He also kept watch by his mother’s coffin, along with his siblings, dressed in his military uniform. King Charles III had allowed his brother to wear his military uniform, which had previously been refused.
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