The life of Prince Andrew has been described as having a "tragic element" as he navigates a vastly reduced existence with "lots of time to fill" following his effective removal from the royal family. Stripped of his princely status and dukedom, the man now known legally as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is living a life far removed from the public duties he once performed.
A Drastic Fall from Grace
In a decisive series of moves, Andrew agreed to relinquish his Duke of York title in October. A fortnight later, King Charles III took further action, formally stripping him of both his princely status and his dukedom. This rendered the 65-year-old a commoner for the first time in his life, a status cemented after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had instructed him to cease using his HRH style back in 2020.
According to royal commentators, his daily reality is now a stark contrast to his former packed diary of engagements and global travel. Royal expert Simon Vigar, speaking to the Express, highlighted the sheer amount of empty time the former royal now faces, a sharp departure from his previous responsibilities.
Days of Isolation at Royal Lodge
So, what does Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor actually do with his time? Reports suggest a solitary and sedentary routine centred on his home, Royal Lodge in Windsor. Matt Wilkinson, The Sun's royal editor, questioned his activities on the podcast Royal Confidential, noting sightings are rare outside of horse-riding.
"I think she described him as a bit of a couch potato, sitting at Royal Lodge watching television," Wilkinson said, referencing a Telegraph article. This portrayal was corroborated by a source telling the Telegraph, "He watches a lot of TV — he's always done that. He's always been a bit of a couch potato."
Even traditional royal pastimes have been scaled back. Wilkinson pondered, "What does he do now if he can't go shooting?" It is reported that while he still hosts shoots at the Sandringham estate, "nobody visits him anymore." Furthermore, Simon Vigar noted that Andrew's once-active social life, which included memberships at numerous golf clubs—earning him the old nickname 'the Duke of Golf'—has dwindled, with clubs now striking his name from their lists. "People just want to be disassociated from him," Vigar stated.
A Legacy of Scandal and a 'Tragic' Outcome
Andrew's reduced circumstances are the direct result of years of intense scrutiny over his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, which he has consistently denied. The fallout has been comprehensive and enduring.
Simon Vigar summarised the situation, saying, "There is obviously an element of tragedy. I don't expect people to feel sympathetic for him, but there is a tragic element to this." This sentiment echoes the view of his biographer, who suggests the former prince feels "abandoned and embittered."
The focus on Andrew's past has been reignited this year following the suicide of Virginia Giuffre in April and the subsequent publication of her posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl, alongside the release of documents related to Epstein. These events have ensured that the shadow over the late Queen's second son remains long, defining his current life of isolation and idle time.
