Prince Andrew tipped to make 'return' to royal fold as it's 'only a matter of time' after Easter appearance
Andrew stepped down as a working royal in 2019Prince Andrew has been tipped to return to the royal fold following his surprise appearance on Easter Sunday (April 20).
Sunday was the first time Andrew, 65, had appeared in public since the Easter church service last year.
Prince Andrew makes surprise Easter appearance
Despite no longer being a working royal, Andrew was at the Easter church service alongside the royal family.
His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, was also present. They arrived in a car alongside Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.
According to a body language expert, the duke displayed a “cocky arrogance” during his appearance.
“Andrew’s body language signals were all about a kind of cocky arrogance here. With his jacket undone, he positioned himself in the gap in the middle of the group where he stood with his legs splayed in a pose of confidence,” Judi James told The Mirror.
“He evaporated back into the gloom of the porch once Charles arrived, but that also gave him the option of walking into the chapel close behind the king and queen, perhaps with Fergie, who seemed to have nipped to stand behind him.”
Prince Andrew tipped to make royal return after Easter appearance
Now, the duke has been tipped to make a return to life as a working royal.
Speaking to The Sun, royal expert and author Phil Dampier said: “It was very much a show of family unity. He’s not totally out in the cold, but I think it’s too early to say it’s any kind of comeback for him.”
However, the commentator said it’s “only a matter of time” before Andrew is fully welcomed back into the fold.
He’s not totally out in the cold.
Dampier said that Andrew is “desperate” to return to the royal fold. He also added that Andrew feels that Virginia Giuffre’s since-debunked claims (that she only had days to live after a car crash) “slightly vindicates” him.
Dampier also said that the Prince of Wales is “one of the driving forces” behind making sure there’s “no future for the Duke of York”.
“He doesn’t believe he can make a comeback, and there is, I’m told, quite a lot of friction between them. It made it a lot easier, I think, for Andrew that William wasn’t there [at the Easter service],” he then added.
The expert added that King Charles still loves his brother “and he doesn’t want him to be completely outcast”.
King Charles ‘sending a message’ with Andrew appearance
Speaking to the publication, royal biographer Ingrid Seward said that Charles allowing his brother to make an appearance for the Easter service sends a strong message.
She said: “By allowing him back into the fold, Charles is sending an incredibly strong message of, ‘He’s my brother and I’m sticking by him.'”
Is Prince Andrew still a royal?
Yes, the Duke of York is still a royal. However, he is no longer a working royal.
He was stripped of his honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages in 2022. It came after he settled a civil case out of court with Giuffre, who accused the prince of sexual assault when she was 17. He has always denied the allegations.
Despite no longer being a working royal, Andrew is still a prince and the Duke of York. But, he is not allowed to use the style, His Royal Highness, in a public capacity, only in private.
He is eighth in line to the throne.
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