Buckingham Palace has confirmed the royal guest list for an upcoming NATO reception - which Prince Andrew is notably absent from.

The Queen will welcome NATO Heads of State and Government next week to mark 70 years of the alliance.

But among members of the Royal Family not attending are Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Prince Harry , the Duke of Sussex and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who have taken a six week break from engagements. 

Prince William will also not be present as he will be on a royal tour of Kuwait and Oman.

A statement released by the palace this afternoon reads: "Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family, will host a reception for NATO leaders, spouses or partners, and delegations, at Buckingham Palace to mark 70 years of the NATO alliance.

"The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will formally receive the NATO leaders and their partners.

The Queen was reported to be "disappointed" and "unhappy" with how the TV appearance unfolded (
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Getty Images)

"This will be followed by a group photograph of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness with the Heads of State and Government."

It continues: "The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra will welcome the guests in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace."

Andrew, 59, announced he would be stepping down from public duties "for the foreseeable future" following the furore over his BBC Newsnight interview.

During the grilling, by host Emily Maitlis, he discussed his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and denied allegations he slept with a teen trafficking victim.

The Duke reportedly stands by the decision to be interviewed on the topic (
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BBC)

"I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever," he said.

Andrew was also snapped last week looking shell-shocked as he drove away from the palace following a 'crisis summit'.

Wearing a suit and tie, he was seen driving away from the palace with a serious expression on his face.

When he left his family home to head to the palace earlier in the day, he smiled and waved from behind the wheel of his car.

Andrew quit his life as a working royal last Wednesday evening over his association with Epstein.

He was grilled by host Emily Maitlis (
Image:
BBC)

In the bombshell statement he said: "It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.

"Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

"I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

"His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

"I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."

Meanwhile, the UK will welcome NATO Heads of State and Government to London on 3rd- 4th December 2019 for a Leaders’ Meeting to mark 70 years of the Alliance.

Established in 1949 with 12 founding members, NATO is now an alliance of 29 countries.

At the heart of NATO is collective defence, set out in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO’s founding Treaty.

The UK is one of NATO’s 12 founding members and London was home to its first headquarters.