A smiling Prince Andrew looked carefree today as he rode through the grounds of Windsor Castle – just days after it was reported he was “robbed” when told he would never return to royal front-line duties.
The disgraced king, 62, was reportedly “whiny” when his brother, then Prince Charles, told him during a one-on-one interview that there would be no way back into the royal fold for him earlier this year.
The Duke of York has been banned from royal frontline duties following a US lawsuit alleging sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein’s victim, Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew, who settled for £12m in the case, has denied any wrongdoing.
But despite claims of his dismay, first made in the Mail on Sunday, the king appeared carefree today as he rode around the grounds of the Windsor estate.
Former Marine Andrew, who wore a waterproof jacket as he rode through the rain, was seen smiling while atop a horse with a Remembrance poppy on the bridle.
A smiling Prince Andrew appeared carefree as he rode through the Windsor grounds today – just days after it was reported how he was “robbed” after being told he would never return to royal front-line duties
The disgraced king (pictured), 62, was reportedly “whiny” when his brother, then Prince Charles, told him during a one-on-one conversation that there would be no way back into the royal fold earlier this year
Former Marine Andrew, who wore a waterproof jacket as he rode through the rain (pictured), was seen smiling while atop a horse with a Remembrance poppy on the bridle
It comes after the Mail on Sunday reported how the prince was left “deprived” and “tearful” when Charles told him he would never return to royal duties.
The Duke of York’s hopes of returning to public life were dashed during a one-on-one meeting with his older brother that an insider has described as “emotional and tense”.
And the devastating decision has left those around the Duke concerned for his well-being, a source told the newspaper.
Andrew is said to have been “stunned” by the outcome of the private meeting, which took place just days before the Queen’s death at Charles’ Birkhall estate in Scotland.
He believes that despite his association with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, he “could still be of value” as a working member of the royal family and has campaigned vigorously to resume his previous roles.
But The Mail on Sunday understands those hopes were dashed at the early morning meeting, which was attended only by the two brothers.
Prince Andrew was “deprived” and “teared” when Charles told him as Prince of Wales he would never return to royal duties, The Mail on Sunday can reveal
“Andrew was completely blindsided,” the insider said. “He’s completely bereft. He always believed there was a way back.’
There will be further evidence of Andrew’s isolation next Sunday when he will be absent from the Memorial Day service at the Cenotaph as he is stripped of his official duties and has no further role to play.
His status was also reduced after the Queen’s death, which deprived Andrew not only of his mother, but also of his most important supporter.
“Andrew was very close to the Queen and tried many times to raise the issue of his return to public life with her,” the source said. “Sometimes she would say slightly forgiving things, but more often than not she’d change the subject immediately so as not to talk about it.”
It is understood that most senior figures in the royal family thought the matter was settled – that there was no going back. But this had not been Andrew’s understanding.
“Naive as it may sound, he always had hopes of regaining his position as senior royal,” the source continued. “At the meeting, Charles told him that he can go and have a good life, a beautiful life, but that his public life as royal is over. He was told, “You have to accept that.”
“Andrew was very close to the Queen and tried many times to raise the issue of his return to public life with her,” a source told the Mail on Sunday.
Andrew, 62, was stripped of his military affiliation and royal patronage in January after losing his attempt to drop a civil lawsuit in America brought by Epstein’s former “sex slave” Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke .
The Duke vehemently denied their claims, but at the time Buckingham Palace had said the decision to strip Andrew of his titles was made by the late Queen.
He also lost his right to be addressed as “His Royal Highness” in an official capacity.
The Duke settled the civil case in February for a reported £12million without accepting liability and had believed it would allow him to return to royal duties.
He continues to vigorously deny any wrongdoing.
“Up until meeting his brother in person, Andrew believed there was a way back — that he could be redeemed somehow and have a role in The Firm in the future,” the source said. “He came out of the meeting shaken. He’s still in shock. He’s completely lost and very depressed.’
Andrew, 62, was stripped of his military affiliation and royal patronage in January after losing his attempt to drop a civil lawsuit in America brought by Epstein’s former “sex slave” Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke – pictured here with former boyfriend of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein
It is understood that Prince Andrew was later brought to tears again when he was told in a separate conversation that he was banned from wearing a military uniform at his mother’s funeral.
There now appear to be plans to add his siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the list of Councilors of State, the senior royals who can represent the monarch when the need arises.
If they are promoted by an amendment to the Regency Act, it would further sideline Andrew and Harry, who are technically closer to the throne as fifth and eighth in line but no longer perform official royal duties.
Andrew is comforted by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The princesses are believed to have held at least one meeting with the king to express concern for their father’s well-being and to plead for his return.
But courtiers say there is little sympathy from Prince William or from the Queen Consort, both of whom strongly support Charles’ decision.
The Queen is said to have been so concerned for Andrew that she publicly showed her support by allowing him to walk down the aisle to the funeral service for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in March.
Prince Andrew was “weeping” after a tense face-to-face meeting with Charles, then Prince of Wales, who told his younger brother he would never return to royal duties, a source claimed
“Unfortunately, the image of the Queen on Andrew’s arm overshadowed the service,” a royal insider said. “It was all everyone was talking about and there was unease among older family members at the Queen’s decision, but she insisted.”
Andrew now feels “misled” by close relatives and has accused certain courtiers of “leading him into an impasse” and, he believes, briefing against him.
“He cannot grasp that there is no place for him in public life,” the source said. “He has a support system, but he’s in bad shape. He’s having a hard time coming to terms with the reality of what life is going to be like from now on.’
The Duke was forbidden from wearing his military uniform during the Queen’s funeral, but was allowed to wear it during the private vigil after Charles took pity on his brother and relented.
Since the funeral, the man, once nicknamed “Air Miles Andy” because of his frequent travels abroad, has been confined to his home, the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
He has occasionally been spotted horseback riding in Windsor Great Park but has become a “virtual recluse”, according to the source, adding: “He has no idea what the future holds and has no real plans. He struggles to accept that this is the end of the road for him as a royal. That’s all he ever knew.”
Prince Andrew, pictured today, sets out for a ride on his horse, bridled with Remembrance poppies, in Windsor
The loss of the queen has also exacerbated his isolation. “Up until his troubles, he always had the ability to make the late Queen laugh,” a friend said. “They were very close and had a warm and loving relationship. There was no awkwardness.’
Andrew has denied being close to Epstein, who killed himself in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on child trafficking charges.
Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in a Florida prison after being found guilty of child trafficking and other charges last December.
In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday last month, Maxwell, 60, described Andrew as her “dear friend” and said: “I feel so bad for him. I follow what happens to him. He pays such a price for the club. I consider him a dear friend. I take care of him.’
Buckingham Palace and a spokeswoman for the Duke of York both declined to comment on Saturday night.