Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not attend a church service scheduled for Friday in London as part of his mother's 70-year reign celebrations, the palace announced on Thursday. of Buckingham.

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Forever denied a royal role after sexual assault charges he ended by paying millions of dollars, Andrew, 62, went unseen on Thursday during the military parade kicking off the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities .

"Following a routine test, the Duke (of York) has tested positive for COVID-19 and, with regret, will not attend the service tomorrow" at St Paul's Cathedral, the palace said in a statement. .

Prince Andrew lives near Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides, and visits her regularly.

The sovereign had made it known earlier this month that he would not be allowed to join the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowds on Thursday, with that honor going only to family members 'working' for the monarchy and their children.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, settled in California, were also banned from it, from where they came especially with their two children for the four days of celebrations.

The Queen, in a dove-blue outfit, appeared on the balcony smiling, leaning on a cane, with 17 members of the royal family, cheered on by tens of thousands of people.

Last March, the appearance of Prince Andrew on the arm of the sovereign at Westminster Abbey, for the ceremony in memory of Prince Philip, her husband who died last year, was poorly received by part of the opinion. British public.