The Queen was “fully entitled” to have been accompanied by Prince Andrew at the memorial service for Prince Philip, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.
There has been much discussion around how many, if any, events Andrew will take part in at his mother’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
In an interview with ITV News, Justin Welby said Andrew is “seeking to make amends” after settling his sex abuse case and spoke of the importance of an “open and forgiving” society.
The Archbishop said he recognised “there’s very deep feelings indeed”, but added: “We have become a very unforgiving society”.
Andrew, 62, agreed to settle the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. He denied the allegations.
In the interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, Mr Welby said: “Forgiveness really does matter. I think we have become a very, very unforgiving society. There’s a difference between consequences and forgiveness.
“I think for all of us, one of the ways that we celebrate when we come together is in learning to be a more open and forgiving society.
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“Now with Prince Andrew, I think we all have to step back a bit. He’s seeking to make amends and I think that’s a very good thing.
“But you can’t tell people how they’re to respond about this. And the issues of the past in the area of abuse are so intensely personal and private for so many people.
“It’s not surprising. There’s very deep feelings, indeed.”
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Mr Welby also paid tribute to the Queen, saying her 70-year reign was “something extraordinary to celebrate” and said she is “probably the most trusted person in the country”.
Asked if he believed there should have been more of a transition of powers to her son and heir, Prince Charles, Mr Welby said we should “accept it for how it is”.
He added: “She knows herself very well. She is very self-aware. And we’re seeing the change slowly being slipped in, quite reasonably, at the age of 96. She will do the right thing in that.”
