Prince Andrew Will Not Return To Service Despite Family’s Support

Despite the Royal family’s apparent support for the Duke of York, Prince Andrew will not resume public duties.

The Duke of York, 63, was spotted in a car with the Prince and Princess of Wales on their way to church at Balmoral yesterday, in what has been described as a “public statement of togetherness.”

While Prince Andrew appeared to be fully reintegrated into the royal family, experts believe Charles has stated that there is ‘no likelihood’ of his returning to royal duties.

A source told The Telegraph: “He has always been clear that the Duke is a much-loved member of the family, but that does not mean there will be a change in tack when it comes to his royal status.”

According to royal insiders, while Andrew will ‘not return to public life, the King has stated ‘privately’ that he will ‘ support his brother and help him get his life back on track,’ as indicated by the Balmoral outing.

Prince William, whose wife Catherine sat in the rear seat, drove the disgraced duke, 63, to church.

They joined other members of the Royal Family at church as the Royal Family enjoyed their first summer vacation at the estate since the Queen’s death there a year ago.

According to royal critic Richard Fitzwilliams, the photos showing Prince Andrew walking to church with the Waleses were “clearly intended to send a message of family unity.”

But he emphasized it was not a sign that Andrew could return to public service in any capacity.

“This is a sad time for the royal family on their customary break at Balmoral. They and the nation will shortly be commemorating a year since the death of the Queen,’ Mr Fitzwilliams said.

“We know how close Andrew was to the late Queen, his appearance at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Memorial Service in March 2022, where he supported her physically whilst she was giving him emotional and financial support caused much controversy.

“It has been reported that his allowance has been cut. It was rumoured that his tenure at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which is his home, was in danger.

Read Also: King Charles Bans Prince Andrew From Buckingham Palace Over Links With Jeffrey Epstein

“He is also reportedly attempting to regain the police protection he lost when he stepped down from royal duties.”

But Mr Fitzwilliams added: “It is important to stress that there is no possibility, as King Charles and Prince William have always realised, of him returning to public duties in any form.

“A glance at his non-existent popularity ratings in the polls makes the public mood very clear on this issue.

“However what is being emphasised is harmony on a personal level and clearly he and his immediate family, who are also at Balmoral, will appreciate this a great deal, especially as the photographs we see today are such a very public statement of togetherness.”

On his journey to church, William drove a Land Rover Defender with his uncle in the front seat and his wife, the Princess of Wales, in the back. Following the service, the passengers switched places.

The King invited Andrew for the summer trip, and it is reported that he extended an olive branch to his brother so that the entire family might be together at Balmoral.

Following the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal, the prince lost his formal duties and his standing in public life.

Virginia Roberts, a former teenage Epstein victim, sued the duke over her accusations that he had sex with her while she was under the paedophile financier’s influence.

Andrew angrily contested the charges, but was ordered to stop using the title His Royal Highness, and all military titles and royal patronages were restored to the late Queen after Charles and William demanded them.

Months later, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Ms Roberts for a reported £12 million with no admission of wrongdoing.

He is considered to be optimistic about a comeback to public life.