Now, the archbishop has commented on the royal scandal for the first time, suggesting the queen was “fully entitled” to Prince Andrew’s support during the recent Thanksgiving service for Prince Philip, adding that people he had to “step back a little.”
In a statement to ITV News, he said: “On a great public occasion, the Queen has every right to have one of her children support her. Forgiveness really matters. I think we have become a very, very relentless society.
“There is a difference between consequences and forgiveness. I think for all of us, one of the ways to celebrate when we come together is to learn to be a more open and forgiving society.
“Now, with Prince Andrew, I think we all need to step back a little bit. He is looking to amend and I think that is very good.
“You can’t tell people how to respond to that and the problems of the past in the area of abuse are so intensely personal and private for so many people. It’s not uncommon for there to be very deep feelings.”
He also commented on the “split” of the royal family and the split between Prince William and Prince Harry, saying: “Of course, it’s sad when families are fighting, but which family isn’t?
“I think if there is a family where relationships are perfect, they have the right to judge, but I won’t.”
Last month, the archbishop said he was “dismayed” by the government’s plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and called the policy “ungodly”.