Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, known for most of his life as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Born on 19 February 1960, he spent decades as a senior working royal before a series of legal and public controversies led to the removal of his royal titles and a dramatically reduced public role. By late 2025, Buckingham Palace confirmed he would be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a private individual no longer carrying out official duties.
His transformation from a Falklands War veteran and popular royal figure to a central name in scandal has been among the most striking reversals in modern royal history. The association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre reshaped his public standing entirely. Today he resides at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park and has no public role within the monarchy.
Understanding who Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is requires tracing a life that began with every privilege of royalty and moved through military service, marriage, fatherhood, and ultimately, a legal settlement that cost him his titles. The following sections examine the key facts, open questions, and timeline of that journey.
Who Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? — Prince Andrew’s Identity and Royal Background
Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor
19 February 1960, Buckingham Palace, London
Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Former working royal (titles removed 2025)
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the third child of Queen Elizabeth II, younger brother of King Charles III.
- He held the title Duke of York until it was returned to the Crown in 2022.
- He was stripped of his HRH style, military affiliations, and royal patronages amid the Epstein-linked legal scrutiny.
- He is divorced from Sarah Ferguson but they continue to share a residence at Royal Lodge.
- He has two daughters: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
- Since stepping back from public duties, he has not appeared in any official royal capacity.
- He served as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, a central part of his early public biography.
| Attribute | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 66 (as of September 2026) | Born 19 February 1960 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (approx.) | Not officially documented; media estimates vary |
| Former title | The Duke of York | Title returned to the Crown in 2022 |
| Military rank | Vice-Admiral (retired) | Rank stripped in 2022 |
| Legal status | Settled civil case (Virginia Giuffre, Feb 2022) | Settled out of court; terms sealed |
| Current home | Royal Lodge, Windsor | Rented via Crown Estate lease |
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Family: Who Are His Wife and Daughters?
Sarah Ferguson: Marriage and Divorce
Andrew married Sarah Ferguson on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey. The couple had two daughters before separating in 1992 and finalising their divorce in 1996. Despite the end of their marriage, they have remained closely associated publicly and continue to share the Royal Lodge residence. Sarah Ferguson, known as the Duchess of York, has spoken in interviews about their ongoing friendship and cohabitation arrangement.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Andrew’s two daughters are Princess Beatrice, born in 1988, and Princess Eugenie, born in 1990. Both are working professionals and carry out occasional royal engagements. Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, and Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The princesses have largely remained outside the controversies surrounding their father and maintain cordial relationships with the wider royal family. They are grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II and are currently 13th and 14th in the line of succession, respectively.
Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced in 1996 but continue to live together at Royal Lodge. Their arrangement is unusual for divorced couples and has been described by those close to them as a practical friendship rather than a romantic reconciliation. Ferguson has publicly supported Andrew during his legal and public difficulties.
How Old Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? His Age, Height, and Early Years
Born in 1960: Early Life and Education
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was born on 19 February 1960 at Buckingham Palace. He is 66 years old as of September 2026. He was educated at Heatherdown Preparatory School and later at Gordonstoun in Scotland, following the educational path of his father and older brother. He joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and trained as a helicopter pilot, beginning a military career that would define his early public image.
Military Service in the Falklands War
His service during the Falklands War in 1982 remains one of the most frequently cited chapters of his biography. He served as a helicopter pilot and search-and-rescue crewman aboard HMS Invincible. Britannica notes that his naval career is a major part of his public biography. The experience gave him a reputation for competence and bravery that stood in sharp contrast to his later public image. Photographs from that period show a young royal in active military service, a far cry from the figure seen in more recent years.
In his twenties and thirties, Andrew was often described in the British press as a charismatic and good-looking royal, known for his sense of humour and reported pranks. The gap between that early persona and the scandal-dominated later years is one reason public curiosity about his younger appearance and military years remains strong.
Was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Released From Royal Duties? — His Current Status
The Epstein Scandal and Legal Case
Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019, began in the 1990s. The relationship drew intense scrutiny after Epstein’s arrest in 2019. In 2021, Virginia Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit in the United States alleging sexual assault. BBC News reported that Andrew settled the case in February 2022 without admitting liability. The NBC News report on the judge’s rejection of his attempt to dismiss the suit underscored the legal pressure he faced.
Loss of Titles and Royal Roles
Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 amid the initial Epstein controversy. In 2022, Buckingham Palace announced he would no longer use the style HRH and would return his military titles and royal patronages. By late 2025, a formal process was announced to remove his remaining styles and honours. BBC reporting confirmed that Buckingham Palace stated he would be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, effectively ending his identity as a prince and duke in an official capacity. The Royal Family’s official statement confirmed the process.
The term “released” sometimes causes confusion. Andrew was not legally released from any criminal liability; he settled a civil case without admission of liability. His removal from royal duties is a separate decision by the royal household, not a judicial outcome. There is no indication of new legal proceedings as of 2025, but the legal chapter remains a subject of continuing public record.
Where Does Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Live Now? His Home at Royal Lodge
Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park for approximately two decades. The property is a 30-room residence set in secluded grounds. The Guardian described it as a “mini-palace” in a 2025 report. In late 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that notice had been served requiring Andrew to surrender the lease and move to alternative private accommodation. BBC News reported that he still had some legal protection to remain through his lease, although the Palace indicated the process was moving forward.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Health: What Is Known About His Current Well-Being?
No verified medical information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s health has been officially released. Media reports have suggested mobility issues and the use of a walking stick, but these have not been confirmed by his office or by any medical authority. The gathered research does not provide a reliable, specific, current medical assessment. As such, no verified claim can be made about a diagnosed condition or the extent of any mobility limitations. This remains an area where public curiosity exceeds available factual information.
How Did Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Life and Career Unfold Over Time?
- 1960 — Born at Buckingham Palace. Wikipedia records his birth as the third child of Queen Elizabeth II.
- 1979 — Joined the Royal Navy, trained as a helicopter pilot.
- 1982 — Served in the Falklands War as a helicopter pilot and search-and-rescue crewman.
- 1986 — Married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey.
- 1988 — Birth of Princess Beatrice.
- 1990 — Birth of Princess Eugenie.
- 1996 — Divorce from Sarah Ferguson.
- 2019 — Stepped back from royal duties after the Epstein scandal intensified.
- 2022 — Settled Virginia Giuffre civil lawsuit; returned military titles and patronages to the Crown.
- 2025 — Formal process announced to remove remaining titles; began using Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as his name.
What Facts About Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Are Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 19 February 1960 | Exact height is not officially listed; estimates range |
| Third child of Queen Elizabeth II | Current health condition and mobility status not medically confirmed |
| Married Sarah Ferguson 1986, divorced 1996 | Royal Lodge lease terms have not been fully released publicly |
| Two daughters: Beatrice and Eugenie | Virginia Giuffre settlement amount remains confidential |
| Falklands War veteran | Net worth figure not verifiable from reliable sources |
| Stripped of royal patronages and military titles in 2022 | Future living arrangements after Royal Lodge lease are not publicly defined |
What Does the Mountbatten-Windsor Surname Signify?
Mountbatten-Windsor is the personal surname used by male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The name combines the royal House of Windsor with the Mountbatten name adopted by Prince Philip. It was formally adopted in 1960 as the surname for descendants who do not hold royal titles or when a surname is required for legal or official purposes.
The transition from “Prince Andrew” to “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor” therefore marks more than a simple name change. It signals his shift from being a titled member of the royal family to a private individual. The use of the Mountbatten-Windsor surname in official communications from Buckingham Palace in 2025 represented the formalisation of that change.
The surname itself has been used by other royal descendants in contexts such as marriage registrations, military service, and legal documents. For Andrew, its adoption at this stage of his life underscores the completeness of his separation from active royal identity.
Which Sources Provide the Most Reliable Information on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
“…third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip…”
— Wikipedia
“…The Duke of York will no longer use the style ‘His Royal Highness’ in any official capacity…”
— BBC News, January 2022
“…he was best known for his prankster nature, naval service, and a few…”
— Vanity Fair, February 2026
The most authoritative sources for factual information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor include the official Britroyals family record, Britannica’s biographical entry, and the Royal Family’s own announcements. News organisations such as the BBC and NBC News have provided detailed coverage of the legal proceedings and status changes. Readers should rely on official sources for confirmed biographical details and on court records for legal matters.
What Is the Full Picture of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Life and Status?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, born a prince and Duke of York, has followed a trajectory unlike any senior royal in modern British history. From his Falklands War service and early popularity to the Epstein scandal and the loss of his titles, his life reflects a dramatic public fall. He no longer carries out royal duties, lives at Royal Lodge under a lease that is being wound down, and has no confirmed plans for a return to public life. His health and net worth remain subjects of media speculation rather than verified fact. The official change to the name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor marks the final step in his transition from working royal to private individual. For readers seeking further context on the royal family, the biography of Queen Elizabeth II and the profile of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh offer additional background.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Why do people call him Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor instead of Prince Andrew?
Mountbatten-Windsor is the personal surname used by male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. “Prince Andrew” is a title, while “Mountbatten-Windsor” is the formal surname.
Is Sarah Ferguson still married to Andrew?
No. They divorced in 1996. However, they remain close friends and share a residence at Royal Lodge.
Did Andrew serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the Royal Navy and flew helicopters during the Falklands War in 1982.
What was the outcome of the Virginia Giuffre case?
The case was settled out of court in February 2022. The terms are confidential, but a settlement was made without admission of liability.
Does Andrew still have a royal title?
He remains “Prince Andrew, Duke of York” in a technical genealogical sense, but he was stripped of his HRH style and military titles. He no longer uses the title in any official or public capacity.
How many children does Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have?
He has two daughters: Princess Beatrice, born in 1988, and Princess Eugenie, born in 1990.
Where does Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor live?
He lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. In late 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that notice had been served to surrender the lease.
What is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s military background?
He joined the Royal Navy in 1979, served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War in 1982, and held the rank of Vice-Admiral before his military titles were removed in 2022.
Why was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor removed from royal duties?
He stepped back in 2019 following public scrutiny of his association with Jeffrey Epstein. A civil lawsuit and the subsequent settlement led to the loss of his royal titles and patronages.
Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still involved in legal cases?
As of 2025, there are no active legal proceedings. The civil case with Virginia Giuffre was settled in 2022, and no new cases have been filed against him.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.