Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (Prince Andrew) is a member of the United Kingdom’s Royal Family. He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was born on 19 February 1960 at the Buckingham Palace in London. On 30 October 2025, by decree of King Charles III, all of his royal titles, honours and privileges were revoked, and he will henceforth be known solely as “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor”.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was born on 19 February 1960 at Buckingham Palace in London. His full name is Andrew Albert Christian Edward. He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His baptism took place on 8 April 1960.

Andrew was named after his paternal grandfather, Prince Andrew of Greece. He was the first royal child to be born during the reign of a monarch descended from Princess Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria. The double-barrelled surname “Mountbatten Windsor” stems from a system adopted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after their marriage in 1960. “Windsor” was adopted in 1917 by King George V to replace the German-origin name “Saxe-Coburg-Gotha”, while “Mountbatten” is the Anglicised form of the Battenberg surname from Prince Philip’s family.

Andrew spent his childhood at Buckingham Palace and is a member of the British Royal Family’s House of Windsor. As of 2025, he is eighth in the line of succession to the British throne.

Education

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor completed his primary education at Heatherdown Preparatory School, a traditional boarding school in Berkshire that historically catered to children of the British aristocracy.

He continued his secondary education at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the same institution attended by his father, Prince Philip, and his elder brother, King Charles. There, he received training not only in academics but also in physical endurance and leadership skills.

After graduation, Andrew pursued a military career and joined the Royal Navy to train at the Britannia Royal Naval College (Dartmouth). He received instruction in naval discipline and command, and later undertook flight training at the RAF Leeming and Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose facilities.

Royal Navy Service (1979–2001)

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor joined the Royal Navy in 1979. He graduated from the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth in 1980 and completed training in fixed-wing and helicopter flight operations. During his training, he received pilot instruction at the RAF Leeming and Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose bases.

Beginning his service as an officer, Andrew transitioned to the Sea King helicopter and joined his first operational unit, the 820 Naval Air Squadron, which was based aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. In 1982, he participated in the task force assembled to retake the Falkland Islands and carried out active flying duties during the Falklands War.

After the war, Andrew continued serving as a helicopter pilot. Between 1983 and 1991, he served aboard the ships HMS Brazen and HMS Campbeltown, first as a pilot and later as flight commander. In 1992, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and assumed command of the minesweeper HMS Cottesmore.

In 1995, he was appointed senior pilot of the 815 Naval Air Squadron. He served in the Ministry of Defence with the rank of Commander until 2001, when he retired from active duty after 22 years of military service.

Marriage and Family Life

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor married Sarah Ferguson on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey. Following the marriage, he was granted the titles of Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, titles previously held by his grandfather, King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. Sarah Ferguson became the Duchess of York upon marriage.

The couple had two children:

• Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, born in 1988,
• Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena, born in 1990.

In the later years of their marriage, the couple separated in 1992. Their divorce was finalised on 30 May 1996.

Commercial and Diplomatic Roles

After leaving military service in 2001, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was appointed by the United Kingdom government as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. In this role, he worked in collaboration with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

During his tenure, he undertook various international visits on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. These included official trips to India in 2012 and to Singapore and Papua New Guinea in 2015. Andrew also represented the Queen in domestic ceremonial duties, participating in the Trooping the Colour birthday parade, attending the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the London Cenotaph, and appearing at events such as the Queen’s Garden Parties.

In 2011, he stepped down from this role due to his associations with businessman Jeffrey Epstein.

Connection to Jeffrey Epstein

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor first came into public attention in 1999 following his introduction to Jeffrey Epstein. It was reported that Epstein introduced himself through his then-partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Epstein was convicted in the United States in 2008 on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Nevertheless, Andrew and Epstein were photographed together in New York’s Central Park in 2010. Andrew later stated that this meeting was intended to end their friendship.

A 2011 email revealed that Andrew had maintained contact with Epstein. The email included the phrase “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon”.

Following these revelations, Andrew resigned from his position as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade in 2011.

Virginia Giuffre Lawsuit and Settlement

In August 2021, U.S. citizen Virginia Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Giuffre alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein during her minority and that Andrew sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions. She later elaborated on these claims in her memoir, “Nobody’s Girl”.

Andrew denied the allegations, stating he had “no recollection whatsoever” of the incidents. In February 2022, a joint statement submitted to a U.S. court by the parties’ lawyers confirmed an out-of-court settlement. Andrew accepted an undisclosed financial payment to Giuffre without admitting any liability. British media reported the amount exceeded approximately £9 million (about $12 million USD).

Withdrawal from Public Duties and Loss of Titles

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor announced in November 2019, following an interview with the BBC, that he was stepping back from public duties. In the interview, he stated he did not recall meeting Virginia Giuffre and denied the allegations against him.

In response to public outcry, Buckingham Palace announced on 20 November 2019 that Andrew’s public duties were suspended indefinitely. On 13 January 2022, a further statement confirmed that, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, Andrew’s military appointments and royal patronages had been revoked.

The statement indicated that Andrew would not return to public duties and would henceforth pursue his legal matters as a private citizen. During this period, he also ceased using the title “His Royal Highness”.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor announced on 17 October 2025 that he would no longer use the title “Duke of York”. Subsequently, on 30 October 2025, by order of King Charles III, all of his royal titles, honours and ceremonial privileges were formally rescinded.

Buckingham Palace stated that Andrew would henceforth be known solely as “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor”. It was also noted that the lease for the Royal Lodge property in Windsor had been terminated and a formal notice of eviction had been issued.

The palace statement affirmed that, despite Andrew’s continued denial of the allegations, these measures were deemed “necessary”. The same statement emphasised that the King and Queen continued to express “deep sympathy and support for all victims of abuse”.

It was announced that Andrew would relocate to Sandringham Estate, and that his housing arrangements would be privately funded by the King.

Formal Revocation of Titles

As part of the official process initiated by King Charles III, all of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s titles and honours were revoked. This included the titles of “Prince”, “Duke of York”, “Earl of Inverness”, and “Baron Killyleagh”, as well as the style “His Royal Highness”.

Additionally, two of Andrew’s honours, the Order of the Garter and the Grand Cross of the Order of Victoria, were withdrawn. According to royal sources, the formal documentation for the revocation of these titles was issued by the King through a Royal Warrant addressed to the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew did not contest this decision.