Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, is navigating a starkly diminished life with a significant amount of unfilled time following his effective removal from the royal family, a situation described by commentators as having a "tragic element."
A Drastic Fall from Grace
In a dramatic series of events, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, agreed to relinquish his Duke of York title in October. A fortnight later, King Charles III took further decisive action, stripping his younger brother of his princely status and dukedom entirely. This historic move rendered Andrew a commoner for the first time in his life.
This final step followed his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, instructing him in 2020 to cease using his His Royal Highness style. His daily reality is now a world away from the packed schedule of public engagements and ceremonial duties he once performed.
A Life of Solitude and Scaled-Back Pastimes
According to royal experts, the former prince, who has largely vanished from public view, spends considerable time alone at his home, Royal Lodge in Windsor. Royal commentator Simon Vigar noted Andrew is left with "lots of time to fill," a sharp contrast to his former life.
Speaking on Royal Confidential, The Sun's royal editor Matt Wilkinson questioned how Andrew occupies his days. "We only ever see him horse-riding," Wilkinson said, referencing a Telegraph article that described the ex-royal as "a bit of a couch potato, sitting at Royal Lodge watching television."
Even traditional royal pastimes have been curtailed. "What does he do now if he can't go shooting?" Wilkinson added. Vigar recalled that in happier times, Andrew was known as the "Duke of Golf," but his membership at various clubs is reportedly being revoked as organisations seek to distance themselves from him.
Isolation and the Shadow of Scandal
Sources describe a man who watches a lot of television, does not drink or smoke, and is rarely seen dining out. While he is said to still host shoots at the Sandringham estate, "nobody visits him anymore." His biographer suggests he feels "abandoned and embittered."
Andrew's reduced circumstances are the direct consequence of years of intense scrutiny over his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, which he has consistently denied. The focus on him has only intensified following the posthumous publication of Giuffre's memoir and the release of documents related to Epstein.
Vigar summarised the situation, stating, "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." The prince who once represented the Crown on the global stage now faces an uncertain and isolated future, with empty days to fill.
