The first public sighting of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor in nearly two months has reportedly caused significant friction within the Royal Family, with sources suggesting his actions are causing dismay for the King and his neighbours, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
A Controversial Outing
Despite being stripped of his royal titles and HRH style, the King's brother was seen enjoying a horseback ride on the Windsor estate yesterday morning. This was his first public appearance since October 3, just before the latest Jeffrey Epstein-related scandal erupted. A well-placed royal source stated that the image of Andrew smiling in the Autumn sunshine is 'not a good look' for the monarch.
The source elaborated, 'The King won’t be happy that his brother has been photographed riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, which after all is funded by the taxpayer.' The ride, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, was conducted in the company of a female groom, with whom Andrew was seen chatting animatedly.
Mounting Tensions and a Planned Eviction
The incident has also reportedly annoyed the Prince and Princess of Wales. According to the source, William and Kate 'don't want him in their lives full stop, let alone as a near-neighbour.' The sentiment was clear with the source adding, 'That move to Sandringham can’t come soon enough to get him away from Windsor.'
Andrew is meant to be relocating to a private property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, but multiple sources indicate it could take months for him to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge, which he shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The King formally stripped Andrew of his prince title and HRH style on November 6 via a rare Letters Patent, effectively rendering him a commoner.
Family Concern and a Secretive Operation
Despite the official censure, there remains a level of family concern. The source revealed that King Charles still has a 'weakness for Andrew' and is worried about his brother's mental health after being 'holed up at Royal Lodge for weeks.' It is understood that Andrew and Fergie are 'both feeling the strain.'
The outing itself was a covert operation. The Daily Mail's royal editor Rebecca English reported that Andrew was smuggled out of Royal Lodge, apparently ducking down in the back seat of a car, and driven directly to Windsor Castle to take a horse from the Royal Mews shortly after 10am. After his ride, he was returned home using the same method to avoid detection.
This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing fallout from Andrew's association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year aged 41. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations and ever meeting Ms Giuffre, though he settled a US civil case with her for a reported £12million in 2022, with no admission of liability.
In one small concession, Andrew has been allowed to keep his operational service medals, including the one earned for his service as a Navy helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.
