Prince Andrew wants to return to public life

The controversial second son of the Queen deeply desires a return to public life, despite his involvement in many scandals.

Disgraced royal Prince Andrew wants to return to public life despite fury over his appearance at Prince Philip’s memorial late last month.

Sources close to Andrew told The Times the Duke of York felt he “still has a lot to give to people who will let him give”.

Andrew was sparked backlash in late-March when he escorted his mother the Queen down the aisle of Westminster Abbey for Prince Philip’s memorial.

Many of the criticisms were levelled at his presence at such a high-profile event so soon after Andrew settled Virginia Giuffre’s allegations of sex abuse with a reported £12 million ($21 million) settlement.

Andrew’s many scandals have included his friendship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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Prince Andrew attracted backlash after he accompanied the Queen to Prince Philip’s memorial. (Photo by RICHARD POHLE / POOL / AFP)

In the days following Prince Philip’s memorial, Andrew once again attracted ire for a since-deleted 700-word statement about the Falklands War. He signed the statement posted to Sarah Ferguson’s Instagram as HRH, as in His Royal Highness, a title Buckingham Palace said he wouldn’t use anymore.

According to The Times, Andrew had not anticipated the hostile reaction to his post.

“He is clearly in an awful place. If you read it, it was incredibly personal and incredibly thoughtful,” a source close to Andrew said. “Even the reaction to that, here he was as a veteran sharing something deeply personal on this important anniversary – it was surprising that it couldn’t read as what it was.

“There are rightfully some questions of him, but there is rarely a balanced judgment of him in the media. He has a lot to give to people who will let him give.”

However, other sources told The Times, Andrew’s return to public life is unlikely given Prince Charles’ resistance to the idea. Charles is reportedly “less sympathetic” to his brother’s wishes.

The royal has been embroiled in controversy. (Photo by RICHARD POHLE / POOL / AFP)

Recently, Andrew was linked to a money laundering con involving Turkish millionaire Nebahat Evyap Isbilen who alleges banker Selman Turk tricked her out of almost £40 million ($A70m), with £1.1 million ($A1.9m) going to Andrew.

High Court papers allege £750,000 ($A1.3m) was a “gift” to help finance his daughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding.

Yet it took place in July 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic with less than 20 guests.

Andrew has since repaid the sum in full, although the fate of the remaining £350,000 ($A611,000) remains unclear.

There is no suggestion Beatrice knew what went on.

A total of £225,000 ($A393,000) was also paid to his ex Sarah Ferguson for her ambassador work for a US solar panel firm.

Last night sources said she expected the company to pay it back in full.

Mr Turk is understood to deny the claims, while Andrew’s team would not comment.

-With The Sun