Prince Andrew ‘will refuse to exploit sympathy from Philip‘s death’

The Duke of York’s prominence since Prince Philip’s death prompts speculation that he’s hopeful of a comeback to public life.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends the Sunday Service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, following the death of Prince Philip. Picture: Getty

Sources close to the Duke of York have dismissed suggestions that his prominence in the days following the death of Prince Philip has given him hope that he will one day be able to make a comeback to public life. One who knows the Duke well said he would not see it as “respectful” to capitalise on his father’s death in such a way.

The Duke was forced to step down from public duties in November 2019 after his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. US prosecutors still want to question him on what he knows about Epstein’s abuse of under-age girls.

At the weekend Prince Andrew, 61, spoke in public for the first time since then. He told a television crew in Windsor that Philip’s death had left a “void” in the Queen’s life. Andrew, who lives near the Queen at Royal Lodge, has visited his mother several times since Philip died on Friday to provide her with emotional support.

His public appearances have prompted an article in Mail Online, which said that Andrew has become “increasingly confident he will be able to return to some royal duties in the future, believing the public will soften their stance towards him”.

The article claimed that his supporters hope the public will feel some sympathy for Andrew when they see him united with his family at the funeral. However, one source who knows Andrew well said that such calculations could not be further from his mind. “I don’t think he would do anything on the back of his father’s death. He would not see it as an opportunity. He would not see it as respectful.”

Royal sources said there was an important distinction to be made between sharing his memories of his father, which he has as much right to do as any other member of the royal family, and contemplating a return to public life.

Andrew’s hopes of a comeback were aired in The Sunday Times last October when it was reported that he intended to return to public duties and “serve his country” again. At the time royal sources made it clear that such an outcome was unlikely. One said: “The toxicity of his reputation is that he is indelibly associated with Epstein, and he cannot shed that reputation.”

On Tuesday royal sources made it clear that views on the Duke’s reputation and the possibility of a comeback had not changed.