Prince Andrew Through the Years: Royal Life, Fatherhood, Scandals and More

The rebel prince. Prince Andrew has a history of shocking the royal family and the public with his choices — including his decision to marry Sarah Ferguson after dating less than one year. The Duke of York is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Unlike his brother, Prince Charles, Andrew has had a little more flexibility with his role in the Monarchy over the years. For example, after reconnecting with his childhood pal Ferguson in the summer of 1985, Andrew proposed to the redhead in February 1986 — before he was technically allowed to pop the question. “Just before midnight Andrew went down on both knees and asked Sarah Ferguson to be his wife. Sarah was caught off-guard and, to cover her confusion, tried to make light of it,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward wrote in her 1991 book, Sarah: HRH The Duchess of York, of the proposal. “She told the prince: ‘If you wake up tomorrow morning, you can tell me it’s all a huge joke.” According to Seward, the prince asked for Ferguson’s hand in marriage again in the morning, at which time she said yes. The pair had to keep the news a secret, however, because Andrew had proposed without getting permission from the queen. When Her Majesty returned to town from her tour to Australia, Andrew obtained her consent to marry Ferguson and the twosome publicly announced their engagement. The whirlwind romance didn’t stop there with the duo tying the knot just five months later. Andrew again made headlines when and Ferguson announced they were separating in 1992. While many royals have since gotten divorced, including Charles and the late Princess Diana, Andrew’s split in the early ‘90s was still somewhat taboo. [sendtonews type="float" key="HsLJriCGlA-3116181-14453"] The exes continued chummy relationship led many fans to think that someday the former couple could again become romantically linked. "Although we are not a couple, we really believe in each other. The Yorks are a united family. We’ve shown it,” Ferguson, who shares Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with Andrew, told the Daily Mail in November 2018. “You saw it at the wedding. My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairytale." Ferguson continued: "So many people have asked me [if we’ll get back together], but we’re so happy with the way we are right now. We enjoy each other’s company; we allow each other to blossom. I know it sounds like a fairytale but that’s the way we are." The close bond that Andrew and his ex-wife have hasn’t wavered over the years, even after the prince made headlines for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in the fall of 2019 — and was accused of sexual assault. “Eugenie and Beatrice are really upset. They believe their dad made a huge mistake in judgment ever being associated to Jeffrey Epstein,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in December 2019, after Andrew stepped back from his royal duties amid the controversy. “The girls are leaning on each other and are being really supportive of their dad.” Ferguson, for her part, wished her ex-husband a happy birthday in February 2020. Three months later, she shared a family photo in honor of International Family Day. “I am so proud of our united loving family,” the duchess wrote via Instagram in May 2020.

In October 2025, Andrew surprised some royal watchers after announcing he would be giving up his royal title amid the Epstein scandal.

Scroll down to see Prince Andrew’s life in photos, including all the highs and lows: [podcast_block]

The rebel prince. Prince Andrew has a history of shocking the royal family and the public with his choices — including his decision to marry Sarah Ferguson after dating less than one year. The Duke of York is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Unlike his brother, Prince Charles, Andrew has had a little more flexibility with his role in the Monarchy over the years. For example, after reconnecting with his childhood pal Ferguson in the summer of 1985, Andrew proposed to the redhead in February 1986 — before he was technically allowed to pop the question. “Just before midnight Andrew went down on both knees and asked Sarah Ferguson to be his wife. Sarah was caught off-guard and, to cover her confusion, tried to make light of it,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward wrote in her 1991 book, Sarah: HRH The Duchess of York, of the proposal. “She told the prince: ‘If you wake up tomorrow morning, you can tell me it’s all a huge joke.” According to Seward, the prince asked for Ferguson’s hand in marriage again in the morning, at which time she said yes. The pair had to keep the news a secret, however, because Andrew had proposed without getting permission from the queen. When Her Majesty returned to town from her tour to Australia, Andrew obtained her consent to marry Ferguson and the twosome publicly announced their engagement. The whirlwind romance didn’t stop there with the duo tying the knot just five months later. Andrew again made headlines when and Ferguson announced they were separating in 1992. While many royals have since gotten divorced, including Charles and the late Princess Diana, Andrew’s split in the early ‘90s was still somewhat taboo. [sendtonews type="float" key="HsLJriCGlA-3116181-14453"] The exes continued chummy relationship led many fans to think that someday the former couple could again become romantically linked. "Although we are not a couple, we really believe in each other. The Yorks are a united family. We’ve shown it,” Ferguson, who shares Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with Andrew, told the Daily Mail in November 2018. “You saw it at the wedding. My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairytale." Ferguson continued: "So many people have asked me [if we’ll get back together], but we’re so happy with the way we are right now. We enjoy each other’s company; we allow each other to blossom. I know it sounds like a fairytale but that’s the way we are." The close bond that Andrew and his ex-wife have hasn’t wavered over the years, even after the prince made headlines for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in the fall of 2019 — and was accused of sexual assault. “Eugenie and Beatrice are really upset. They believe their dad made a huge mistake in judgment ever being associated to Jeffrey Epstein,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in December 2019, after Andrew stepped back from his royal duties amid the controversy. “The girls are leaning on each other and are being really supportive of their dad.” Ferguson, for her part, wished her ex-husband a happy birthday in February 2020. Three months later, she shared a family photo in honor of International Family Day. “I am so proud of our united loving family,” the duchess wrote via Instagram in May 2020.

In October 2025, Andrew surprised some royal watchers after announcing he would be giving up his royal title amid the Epstein scandal.

Scroll down to see Prince Andrew’s life in photos, including all the highs and lows: [podcast_block]

The Queen’s third child was born on February 19. At the time of his birth, he was second in line for the throne behind older brother, Charles. His older sister, Anne, Princess Royal, was bumped to third in line because gender, not age, dictated the royal succession at that time.

The Duke of York joined the Royal Navy on a short-service commission as a Seaman Officer in 1979. He passed courses at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1980 before undergoing fixed-wing and helicopter training.

He received a Green Beret in 1980 after completing the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course. One year later, he was presented with his “wings” and the award for best pilot by his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The prince married Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, five months after getting engaged.

The pair welcomed their first child, Princess Beatrice, two years after tying the knot.

Princess Eugenie was born two years later, rounding out Andrew’s family of four.

Andrew separated from Ferguson in 1992, but it wasn’t until 1996 that their divorce was finalized.

Andrew rose to the role of commander before retiring from active service in the Royal Navy in 2001. He maintained his naval affiliation until 2015, reaching the honorary rank of vice admiral.

The duke became the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in 2001, shortly after completing his military career. He remained in the role for nearly a decade before stepping back in 2011.

The prince was installed as the new Chancellor of Huddersfield University, following Sir Patrick Stewart’s 11-year term. The title came with an honorary doctorate.

The proud father walked his youngest daughter, Eugenie, down the aisle as she married Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in England.

Andrew made headlines for friendship and past association with Epstein. The financier took his own life in August 2019 while he was serving time at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. He was previously convicted of one count for the human trafficking of a minor. Prosecutors at the time alleged that he was also involved in a trafficking scheme.

Andrew was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Roberts Giuffre amid the Epstein scandal. One month later, Andrew denied the allegations during an interview with BBC Newsnight. “I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever,” he said at the time. “It just never happened.” Giuffre, for her part, claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times between 1999 to 2002.

The prince announced his step back from his royal duties “for the foreseeable future” after his association with Epstein plagued the Crown and its efforts to do good.

“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure,” he said in a statement. “I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

The royal was present at his daughter Beatrice’s wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi amid the controversy over his alleged ties to Epstein. “She wanted him at the wedding,” a source exclusively told Us at the time. “He walked her down the aisle and did a speech at the reception.”

Andrew became a grandfather for the first time when his daughter Eugenie welcomed her first child, son August Philip Hawke, with Brooksbank. The prince’s eldest daughter, Beatrice, became a mother seven months later, giving birth to a baby girl in September 2021.

Andrew mourned the loss of his father alongside his family and took part in Prince Philip’s funeral procession with his three siblings and his three eldest nephews, Prince William, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips.

“It’s a terrible loss,” the duke told reporters after his dad died. “My father said to me on the telephone a few months ago, ‘We’re all in the same boat and we must always remember that.’ … My father’s death has brought home to me, not just [my family’s] loss, but also the loss that everybody else has felt.”

He added: “I just want to say how grateful I am [and] we are for these tributes. He was a remarkable man. I loved him as a father. He was so calm. If you had a problem, he would think about it. … He was always someone you could go to and he would always listen.”

Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the prince for alleged sexual assault and emotional distress. She previously claimed to BBC that she was trafficked by Epstein when she was underage and forced to have sex with his friends, one of which was Andrew.

"Prince Andrew committed sexual assault and battery upon Plaintiff when she was 17 years old. As such, Prince Andrew is responsible for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress pursuant to New York common law,” the lawsuit states. “The damage to Plaintiff has been severe and lasting.”

Andrew’s Los Angeles attorney Andrew Brettler argued during an August 2021 court hearing that the claims are “baseless, nonviable and potentially unlawful.” The prince must file his responses to the lawsuit’s claims by October 29, 2021.

Two months after Giuffre filed a U.S. civil sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew, the British police announced that, after reviewing a document tied to the case, they would not act against the embattled royal.

In a statement at the time, the London-based Metropolitan police said that it “continues to liaise with other law enforcement agencies who lead the investigation into matters related to Jeffrey Epstein,” who died by suicide in 2019 while in jail for federal sex trafficking charges.

The prince continues to deny Giuffre’s allegations, telling the BBC in November 2019 that he had “no recollection” of ever meeting her and that a photograph of them together could have been doctored.

Buckingham Palace released a statement on January 13 regarding the Duke of York's upcoming sexual assault trial, stating that with the queen’s “approval and agreement” his “military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen.” The statement concluded: “The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and defending this case as a private citizen.”

News from the palace came one day after the Associated Press reported that a judge dismissed Andrew’s request to turn over the lawsuit filed by Giuffre in the U.S. His lawyers previously argued that the allegations made against their client lacked credibility, claiming that the case should be thrown out due to a settlement Giuffre reached with the late Epstein in 2009.

After his titles were officially stripped, the royal family member denied the sexual assault allegations against him in court docs filed in New York. According to the paperwork, Andrew "hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint" while "expressly denying any and all wrongdoing."

The prince reached a settlement with Giuffre outside of court before a trial was scheduled to begin. While the sum was kept under wraps, a letter to a New York City court noted that Andrew intended to "make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights." He also apologized for his ties Epstein.

"He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims," the letter read.

Prince Andrew made his first public appearance since settling the lawsuit. He accompanied Queen Elizabeth II to a memorial service for his late father at Westminster Abbey.

Andrew was absent from the Order of the Garter's annual public procession at Windsor Castle despite being a knight in the Order. However, he partook in the private ceremony honoring sister-in-law Duchess Camilla and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. Earlier that month, the prince missed the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations after contracting COVID-19.

Shortly after being put under medical supervision due to mobility issues, Andrew's mother passed away at the age of 96.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

While walking behind his mother's coffin in Edinburgh, Scotland, Andrew was heckled by a young man who yelled out, "You're a sick old man!" Police Scotland later confirmed that the man was arrested following the incident. “A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a breach of the peace on the Royal Mile around 2:50 p.m. on Monday," a spokesperson said at the time. “He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh sheriff court at a later date and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

That same day, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew had received permission to wear his military uniform during his mother's final vigil "as a special mark of respect" despite being stripped of his military titles in January 2022. At other funeral events, however, he will wear civilian clothing. 

The duke, who was not permitted to wear his military uniform during the queen's state funeral, appeared somber as he stood alongside his siblings at Her Majesty's funeral procession.

Eight months after attending his mother’s funeral, Andrew publicly reunited with his siblings at Charles’ coronation. Unlike Princess Anne and Prince Edward, Andrew sported a morning suit rather than his military uniform. According to NBC News, onlookers booed the controversial royal while he was en route to Westminster Abbey for the historic ceremony. Later in the day, Andrew did not join Charles, Camilla and the rest of the royal family during their balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace.

Andrew reportedly cut ties with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy.

In a statement to the BBC in December, Andrew’s office said the royal had met the man "through official channels" and there was "nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed." The alleged spy, known only as H6, was described in court as having formed an "unusual degree of trust" with the duke and was later banned from the U.K.

On October 17, Andrew announced he was giving up his royal titles, including Duke of York, after having discussions with his family and the king.

“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life,” he said in a statement to Us. "With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."