After the period of early education at Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew was sent to Heatherdown School near Ascot in Berkshire.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
In September 1973, when he was 13, Prince Andrew moved on to the Gordonstoun School in Morayshire, Scotland, where his father and older brother, Prince Charles, went before him.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
The year 1977, Prince Andrew studied at Lakefield College School in Ontario, Canada.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
College/University
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
On 1 September 1979, Prince Andrew was appointed as a midshipman and entered the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth — a path that led to joining the Royal Navy as an officer and training to become a pilot.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew also attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1992, completing the Army Staff course.
Career
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2000
Princess Beatrice with her parents the Duke and Duchess of York, starting at her new school St George's, Ascot, 6th September 2000.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2007
London, England
Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are joined by members of the Royal Family for a dinner in Clarence House hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, on Sunday, November 18, 2007, in London, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2007
London, England
Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are joined at Clarence House by their immediate family, HRH The Prince of Wales (L), HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (above C) , HRH The Duke of York (TopL) and HRH The Earl of Wessex (TopR) on the occasion of a dinner hosted by HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate the forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and The Duke, on Sunday November 18, 2007 in London, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2008
The Duke of York in his role as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2009
Russia
Prince Andrew, Russian President Medvedev, and Japanese PM Tarō Asō visit the Sakhalin-II oil and gas project in the Russian Far East.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2010
London, England
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York talks with ex-husband HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York as they wait for daughter HRH Princess Beatrice of York to complete the Virgin London Marathon as part of the 'Caterpillar Run' Team, consisting of 32 runners tethered together on April 25, 2010, in London, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2011
London, United Kingdom
Prince Andrew, Duke York (L), Sarah, Duchess of York (R) and their daughter, Princess Beatrice, following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College on September 9, 2011, in London, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2011
London, United Kingdom
Prince Andrew, Duke York (L), Sarah, Duchess of York (R) and their daughter, Princess Beatrice, following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College on September 9, 2011, in London, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2012
The Duke of York riding in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2013
The Duke of York in Titanic Belfast.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2013
Hillary Clinton being presented with the 2013 Chatham House Prize by Prince Andrew.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2013
Ascot, England
Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2013, in Ascot, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
2015
Ascot, England
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2015, in Ascot, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
London, UK
The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
London, UK
The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
London, UK
The wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey, London, UK, 23rd July 1986.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
Prince Andrew with Sarah Ferguson at Buckingham Palace after the announcement of their engagement, London, 17th March 1986.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
A close up of the hands of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson after the announcement of their engagement at Buckingham Palace, London, 17th March 1986. Ferguson's white and yellow gold engagement ring features a Burma ruby, surrounded by ten drop-diamonds.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
Prince Andrew with Sarah Ferguson at Buckingham Palace after the announcement of their engagement, London, 17th March 1986. Ferguson's white and yellow gold engagement ring features a Burma ruby, surrounded by ten drop-diamonds.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1986
Scrabster, Scotland
Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, arrive in Scrabster for the annual summer holiday In Scotland on August 15, 1986, in Scrabster, Scotland.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1987
Canada
Prince Andrew, Duke Of York, And Sarah, Duchess Of York, Wearing Stetson Hats during A Visit To Medicine Hat, Canada, 23rd July 1987.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1987
Ontario, Canada
Sarah, Duchess Of York With Prince Andrew, Duke Of York, Watching A Fashion Show At The Royal York Hotel In Ontario, Canada, 17th July 1987.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1988
Brisbane, Australia
Andrew and Sarah with Queensland Premier Mike Ahern.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1990
London, England
Duke and Duchess of York, Sarah, and Prince Andrew, in 1990 ca. in London, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1990
London, England
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Diana, Princess of Wales, visit Sarah, Duchess of York, and the newborn Princess Eugenie at The Portland Hospital on March 5, 1990, in London, England.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1990
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York with their daughter Princess Beatrice of York at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, 12th May 1990.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
1999
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York with their children, Princess Beatrice of York (pink dress) and Princess Eugenie of York, attending a garden party at the home of David Frost, June 1999.
Gallery of Prince Andrew Duke of York
Prince Andrew
Achievements
Prince Andrew
Membership
Awards
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Prince Andrew received the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on 21 February 2011.
Order of the Garter
Prince Andrew received the Order of the Garter on 23 April 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
Prince Andrew received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.
South Atlantic Medal
Prince Andrew received the South Atlantic Medal in 1982.
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Prince Andrew received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Prince Andrew received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Prince Andrew received the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 2016.
4th August 1960: Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1900 - 2002) holds her six-month-old grandchild Andrew on her lap during her 60th birthday celebrations at Clarence House, London.
The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Andrew, HRH Prince Edward, and HRH Princess Anne at Balmoral Castle, Scotland during the Royal Family's annual summer holiday, 22nd August 1972.
A close up of the hands of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson after the announcement of their engagement at Buckingham Palace, London, 17th March 1986. Ferguson's white and yellow gold engagement ring features a Burma ruby, surrounded by ten drop-diamonds.
Prince Andrew with Sarah Ferguson at Buckingham Palace after the announcement of their engagement, London, 17th March 1986. Ferguson's white and yellow gold engagement ring features a Burma ruby, surrounded by ten drop-diamonds.
Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, arrive in Scrabster for the annual summer holiday In Scotland on August 15, 1986, in Scrabster, Scotland.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Diana, Princess of Wales, visit Sarah, Duchess of York, and the newborn Princess Eugenie at The Portland Hospital on March 5, 1990, in London, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York with their daughter Princess Beatrice of York at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, 12th May 1990.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York with their children, Princess Beatrice of York (pink dress) and Princess Eugenie of York, attending a garden party at the home of David Frost, June 1999.
Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are joined by members of the Royal Family for a dinner in Clarence House hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, on Sunday, November 18, 2007, in London, England.
Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are joined at Clarence House by their immediate family, HRH The Prince of Wales (L), HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (above C) , HRH The Duke of York (TopL) and HRH The Earl of Wessex (TopR) on the occasion of a dinner hosted by HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate the forthcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and The Duke, on Sunday November 18, 2007 in London, England.
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York talks with ex-husband HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York as they wait for daughter HRH Princess Beatrice of York to complete the Virgin London Marathon as part of the 'Caterpillar Run' Team, consisting of 32 runners tethered together on April 25, 2010, in London, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke York (L), Sarah, Duchess of York (R) and their daughter, Princess Beatrice, following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College on September 9, 2011, in London, United Kingdom.
Prince Andrew, Duke York (L), Sarah, Duchess of York (R) and their daughter, Princess Beatrice, following her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College on September 9, 2011, in London, United Kingdom.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch the racing from the balcony of the Royal Box as they attend Derby Day during the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse on June 4, 2016, in Epsom, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a National Service of Thanksgiving as part of the 90th birthday celebrations for The Queen at St Paul's Cathedral on June 10, 2016 in London, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a National Service of Thanksgiving as part of the 90th birthday celebrations for The Queen at St Paul's Cathedral on June 10, 2016 in Prince Andrew, Duke of York with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a National Service of Thanksgiving as part of the 90th birthday celebrations for The Queen at St Paul's Cathedral on June 10, 2016, in London, England. .
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 17, 2016, in Ascot, England.
Princess Eugenie of York arrives with her father Prince Andrew, Duke of York, ahead of her wedding to Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018, in Windsor, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York doffs his top hat whilst Princess Beatrice and Sarah, Duchess of York curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II as she and her guests pass by in horse-drawn carriages on day 4 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2018, in Ascot, England.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York is driven from Crathie Kirk Church following the service on August 11, 2019, in Crathie, Aberdeenshire. Queen Victoria began worshipping at the church in 1848 and every British monarch since has worshipped there while staying at nearby Balmoral Castle.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 08, 2019 in London, England.
In September 1973, when he was 13, Prince Andrew moved on to the Gordonstoun School in Morayshire, Scotland, where his father and older brother, Prince Charles, went before him.
On 1 September 1979, Prince Andrew was appointed as a midshipman and entered the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth — a path that led to joining the Royal Navy as an officer and training to become a pilot.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward waving to the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, during the Trooping of the Colour.
Prince Andrew, in full Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh, formerly Prince Andrew, is the full-time working member of the British Royal Family, British naval officer, third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and seventh in line to the British throne.
Background
Ethnicity:
Prince Andrew is from the House of Windsor, which is of German paternal descent.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York was born Andrew Albert Christian Edward in the Belgian Suite of Buckingham Palace on 19 February 1960, the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Andrew was the first child born to a reigning monarch since the birth in 1857 of Queen Victoria's youngest child, Princess Beatrice. As with his older siblings, Andrew was looked after by a governess, who was responsible for his early education at Buckingham Palace.
Education
After the period of early education at Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew was sent to Heatherdown School near Ascot in Berkshire. In September 1973, when he was 13, Prince Andrew moved on to the Gordonstoun School in Morayshire, Scotland, where his father and older brother, Prince Charles, went before him. He left Gordonstoun in July two years later with A-Levels in English, history, economics, and political science.
The year 1977 found Prince Andrew at Lakefield College School in Ontario, Canada, and during March and April 1979, he was enrolled at the Royal Naval College Flight, undergoing pilot training, until he was accepted as a trainee helicopter pilot and signed on for 12 years from 11 May 1979. On 1 September of the same year, Prince Andrew was appointed as a midshipman and entered the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth — a path that led to joining the Royal Navy as an officer and training to become a pilot.
During 1980 he also took the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course. After passing out from Dartmouth, the prince went on to elementary flying training with the Royal Air Force at RAF Leeming, and later, basic flying training with the navy at HMS Seahawk, where he learned to fly the Gazelle helicopter. After being awarded his wings, he moved onto more advanced training on the Sea King helicopter and conducted operational flying training until 1982.
Prince Andrew also attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1992, completing the Army Staff course.
Prince Andrew started his career by joining carrier-based squadron, 820 Naval Air Squadron, serving aboard the aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible. In April 1982 the unit sailed as part of the Task Group to the South Atlantic to regain the Falkland Islands. During the conflict, HRH flew missions including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), inter-ship Helicopter Delivery (HDS), Search and Rescue (SAR) and casualty evacuation. Upon return to Portsmouth in September 1982, HMS Invincible was met by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Though he had brief assignments to HMS Illustrious, RNAS Culdrose, and the Joint Services School of Intelligence, Prince Andrew remained with Invincible until 1983.
After completing his first frontline tour, Prince Andrew was promoted to lieutenant in February 1984, and the queen appointed him as a personal aide-de-camp.
Prince Andrew served aboard HMS Brazen as a flight pilot until 1986, and from February 1987 to April 1988, he served as a helicopter warfare officer in 702 Naval Air Squadron, RNAS Portland. He also served on HMS Edinburgh as an Officer of the Watch and Assistant Navigating Officer until 1989.
From 1989 to 1991, Prince Andrew served as flight commander and pilot of the Lynx HAS3 on HMS Campbeltown, during which he also acted as Force Aviation Officer to Standing NRF Maritime Group 1. He then passed the squadron command examination and after graduation from Staff College at Camberley, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander.
From 1993 to 1994, Prince Andrew commanded the Hunt-class minehunter HMS Cottesmore, and from 1995 to 1996, the Duke was posted as Senior Pilot of 815 Naval Air Squadron, then the largest flying unit in the Fleet Air Arm. His main responsibility was to supervise flying standards and to guarantee an effective operational capability. He was promoted to Commander on 27 April 1999, finishing his active naval career at the British Ministry of Defence.
In January 1997, he was appointed to the Ministry of Defence as a Staff Officer in the Directorate of Naval Operations. Promoted Commander in 1999, he took up an appointment within the Naval Staff, before departing from active service.
Prince Andrew formally left the Royal Navy at the end of July 2001. After his retirement from active military service, Andrew took on more of the traditional duties of a royal family member, supporting charities and attending various ceremonies and events.
In July 2005, Prince Andrew was promoted to honorary captain. From 2001 until 2011, he was official Trade & Investment envoy, working in conjunction with the Department of Business, Education and Skills. This was a job previously held by The Duke of Kent. Prince Andrew’s suitability for the job was, however, challenged in the House of Commons, he was also questioned for why his travel and accommodation bill was so high. In 2011, he stepped down from his role, citing: “The role as Special Representative will no longer exist as the Duke of York has decided to relinquish it after 10 years.”
On 19 February 2010, his 50th birthday, he was promoted to Honorary Rear Admiral. Five years later, he was promoted to Honorary Vice Admiral. Currently, the Duke’s work continues to have a strong economic and business focus, as he seeks to recognise the people and organisations striving to ensure that Britain has the workforce, intellectual property and entrepreneurial culture to remain a global economic leader.
(Photographs by HRH The Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II'...)
1985
Religion
Prince Andrew is Anglican as all Royal family members.
Politics
Prince Andrew remains politically neutral as his role is all about assisting the economic success of, and the creation of skilled jobs in, the United Kingdom. His efforts focus on three core areas where he believes he can have the greatest impact: education and skills, promoting apprenticeships as a desirable path to a career is one of his big issues.
Membership
Prince Andrew is involved with more than 100 organizations, including Fight for Sight, Defeating Deafness, and the Commonwealth Society for the Deaf. He is the chairman of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Full Stop Campaign, the executive chairman of trustees of the Outward Bound Trust, and patron of the British Schools Exploring Society and the Sea Cadets. The Duke is also a Royal Fellow of the Royal Society, grand president of Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, and an honorary fellow of Hughes Hall in Cambridge.
Personality
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is considered less of an intellectual and more of an athlete than Prince Charles. He is a very keen golfer. It has been recorded that his golf handicap actually qualifies him to play professionally, though he only regards it as a viable hobby. He has also a passion for photography and is a very keen supporter of Norwich City Football club. He has also developed strong links with Kazakhstan.
Though Prince Andrew seems to lead a calm life, there was also a scandal involving his royal name. In 2011, The Duke and the palace came under heavy scrutiny as the Duke was seen spending time with his ‘friend’ Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was convicted in the United States for soliciting a minor girl for prostitution. When the Duke was seen walking with him post his release, there was a widespread outcry, criticizing the Duke and the palace. In July 2011, it was reported that the Duke had cut ties with Epstein.
In January 2015, a woman named Virginia Roberts claimed that the Duke had a sexual affair with her when she was a teenager. However, the allegations have not been proved so far.
The Duke of York was also criticized for his repeated meetings with the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. It was said that the Duke is a good friend of Ilham Aliyev, who has been criticized in the past for abuses of human rights and for corruption.
Physical Characteristics:
Prince Andrew is 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) tall and his weight is 82 kg (181 lb). He has grey eyes and grey hair.
Interests
Photography, hunting, travelling
Sport & Clubs
Golf, football (Norwich City Football club fan)
Connections
Prince Andrew met Koo Stark in February 1981, and they were close for some two years, before and after his active service in the Falklands War. However, in 1983, they split up, under pressure from press, paparazzi, and palace. In 1997, Andrew became the godfather of Stark's daughter.
In July 1986, at Westminster Abbey, Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson, whom he had known since childhood — Princess Diana, a longtime friend, was reported to have encouraged the pairing — and once they were married, the queen named the newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of York.
The couple appeared to have a happy marriage and had two daughters together, Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (born on August 8, 1988) and Eugenie Victoria Helena (born on March 23, 1990), presenting a united outward appearance during the late 1980s.
However, the Duke of York's frequent travel due to his military career, as well as relentless, often critical, media attention focused on the Duchess of York, led to fractures in the marriage. On 19 March 1992, the couple announced plans to separate and did so in an amicable way. The marriage was ended in divorce on 30 May 1996.
Prince Andrew is currently believed to be single and divorced. He is said to maintain an excellent relationship with Sarah, however.