Andrew stepping back into public view feels like a small royal slip, but it lands like a bruise on Edward and Sophie when they least can afford it.
OPINION
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: Getty)
When Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor made his first public outing since being ‘exiled’ to Sandringham, he proved something once and for all – he’s a clueless royal liability. Earlier this year the 66-year-old was ostensibly booted out of his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor and dispatched to the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for a quiet new life away from the cameras.
It was claimed he had infuriated and frustrated royal officials handling the negative fallout of the Epstein Files on the York family, by being constantly spotted enjoying daily horse rides. Andrew seemed to take the hint for a while and no hide nor hair has since been seen from him, apart from when he was arrested by police on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office – his haunted expression on returning home caught by ‘that’ now unforgettable photo.
Get the latest news and gossip from the Royal Family plus selected offers and competitions Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Andrew strenuously denies any wrongdoing and the police probe into his role as a trade envoy is ongoing.
But the Files did highlight his enduring friendship with US convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, long after Andrew claimed on TV that he had ended all contact with the American financier.
Andrew going to ground since his arrest has enabled the Royal Family some pause, to crack on with some normality, their daily public duties and put his embarrassing past life behind them.
But Andrew is a royal rhinoceros and a bit of a dinosaur – so has a very thick skin.
For example, despite dropping from 30 staff at Royal Lodge to just three at his new Marsh Farm cottage, sources claim Andrew still insists that trio call him ‘The Duke’.
Even though he isn’t one anymore.
The other day Andrew finally resurfaced, the occasion was to watch his sister-in-law Sophie in a carriage driving competition.
He was seen driving his Land Rover Defender away from the annual Sandringham Horse Driving Trials on the King’s royal Norfolk estate.
Andrew left straight after the Duchess of Edinburgh’s event finished that Sunday morning, with his brother Prince Edward also watching from the sidelines.
The Sandringham trials were started in 1982 by Prince Philip, who wanted to bring one of his favourite sports to one of his favourite places.
Sophie and Edward are thought to have been staying at the Wood Farm residence near Andrew’s house, while the three-day competition was taking place.
Sophie and Edward (Image: Getty)
Andrew may have thought he was adding some moral support to Sophie. He may have thought that was a good thing.
But in fact he’s not helping at all.
In fact, I would suggest the last person the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh need being seen cheering them on is Andrew.
I get it that he’s probably bored. He is ‘Air Miles Andy’, he has spent decades travelling the world and now he’s cooped up at a gloomy-looking farm that does not feel like home.
But until the police probe is over and his life moves on he must accept that being a cheerleader for anyone in the Royal Family is not helpful to them.
If he can’t see that simple piece of reality then he really is clueless to how the world goes round.