The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has been photographed in public for the first time since being stripped of his royal titles and facing eviction from his long-term home, Royal Lodge.
A Duty of Care Amidst Controversy
The images of Andrew horse riding on the Windsor estate come as he prepares to leave his home of over twenty years for a smaller property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. According to a royal expert, his new neighbours, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have responded with a sense of duty despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew's association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Jennie Bond, a former BBC Royal correspondent, stated that while there is no love lost between William, Catherine and Andrew, the wider royal family believes they have a duty of care for his welfare and mental health. She explained to the Mirror that Andrew is reported to have become isolated and depressed, and that William and Kate would not begrudge him a ride for fresh air.
King Charles's Displeasure and a Strained Relationship
However, the appearance has not been welcomed by everyone. The same expert suggested that King Charles would be far from pleased with the photographs. The images are seen as drawing attention away from the work of other senior royals at a time when the monarchy seeks to maintain a positive public image.
An insider supported this view, telling the Daily Mail that the sight of Andrew riding on the taxpayer-funded Windsor Castle grounds is not a good look. This public outing highlights the deep-seated tensions within the family, particularly the long-running feud between Prince William and his uncle.
Sources indicate that Prince William played an instrumental role in King Charles's decision to officially remove Andrew's royal titles, a move that went beyond Andrew's initial offer to voluntarily relinquish them. Andrew Lownie, author of a biography on the House of York, revealed that William likely helped stiffen his father's resolve, with the King eventually understanding the seriousness of the distraction Andrew's presence caused.
Unified Front and Reputational Distance
The Princess of Wales is also believed to have fully supported the decision to eject Andrew from his prominent role and home. Lownie explained that the couple are distancing themselves from Andrew to prevent further reputational damage to the monarchy. This unified front from the future king and queen consort underscores a strategic effort to protect the institution, even as they extend a basic human courtesy to a beleaguered family member.
As Andrew's move to Sandringham looms, the royal family appears to be balancing a private sense of obligation with the very public necessity of managing a crisis that continues to capture headlines.
