Prince Andrew
Title: Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Full Name: Andrew Albert Christian Edward
Father: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Mother: Queen Elizabeth II
Born: February 19, 1960 at Buckingham Palace, London
Current Age: 64 years, 9 months, and 2 days
Married: Sarah Ferguson on July 23, 1986 at Westminster Abbey
Children: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie
Divorced: May 30, 1996
Prince Andrew is the second son and third child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. He was born on 19 February 1960 in Buckingham Palace, and was named after his paternal grandfather Prince Philip’s father Prince Andrew of Greece. He was the first child born to a reigning British monarch since Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter Princess Beatrice. He was baptised on 8 April 1960.
Prince Andrew was educated at Heatherdown Preparatory School, Berkshire, before like his brother and father before him going to Gordounston School in Scotland. He left with 3 A levels and joined the Royal Navy attending Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. He undertook the Royal Marine Green Beret course, and learned to fly Gazelle and Sea King helicopters. In 1982 he joined the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible, and saw front line action during the Falklands War flying Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface warfare missions and search and rescue operations. In 1983 he transferred to Lynx helicopters and 1984 - 1991 saw service aboard HMS Brazen as a flight pilot and as flight commander on HMS Campbletown. He became a Lieutenant Commander in 1992 and commanded a Minehunter HMS Cottesmore. In 1995 he was was senior pilot of 815 Naval Air Squadron, and in 2001 finished his naval career as a Commander in the Ministry of Defence in London. He is Colonel-in-Chief of a number of regiments including Canadian regiments.
He has known Sarah Ferguson since childhood though their families shared interest in polo, and on 23 July 1986 Prince Andrew and Sarah were married in Westminster Abbey. He was created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh titles previously held by his maternal grandfather George VI. Sarah became Duchess of York. They have two children Princess Beatrice born in 1988, and Princess Eugenie born in 1990. Sarah received considerably media attention but he was frequently away on naval duties and the marriage broke down. They were separated in March 1992, and following pictures in the press of Sarah with her American financial advisor, they were divorced on 30 May 1996 although their friendship continues and they remain on good terms.
Prince Andrew worked for the UK Department of Trade and Industry, travelling throughout the world representing the UK at trade and export events. This role ended in July 2011 following reports of his friendship with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In 2015 Andrew was accused of allegations of sexual impropriety with young women during parties held by Epstein. The allegations were denied but raised again in August 2019 following the death of Epstein. In November 2019 during a TV interview he denied the allegations but said he did not regret his friendship Epstein. The fallout from his apparent arrogance in the interview was a public relations crisis for Andrew and the Royal Family, and a number of charities and associations that he represented announced that they no longer wanted him to be their patron. On 20 November 2019, a statement from Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke was suspending his public duties "for the foreseeable future". On 13 January 2022 it was announced that he would give up his HRH title, and all his honorary military titles and royal patronages.
Prince Andrew's Signature