Prince Andrew has no way back to royal life as family will ‘never let it happen’

Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in November 2019

Prince Andrew The Duke of York arrives at the Headquarters of CrossRail
(Image credit: Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Prince Andrew will reportedly never return to his former royal role as it’s been suggested that the Royal Family will “never let it happen” following recent allegations. 


Prince Andrew will supposedly never return to some form of royal role after he stepped back from his former duties for the foreseeable future in November 2019 following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. As one of the Queen’s children, the Duke of York was formerly prominent in royal life and was a Patron to a number of charities and organizations and regularly conducted his own royal engagements as well as supporting the Queen. 

In recent months, however, Prince Andrew has been rarely glimpsed in public, though he was spotted this summer visiting the Queen at Balmoral during her annual summer break. This came as reports emerged that Virginia Giuffre had made allegations about him in a federal court in New York. 

Since then speculation about a potential Prince Andrew trial has mounted, though the royal firmly denies all of the allegations and nothing has yet been confirmed. Despite this, it’s now been claimed that there is “no way in the world” Prince Andrew would be allowed to return to royal life in light of the recent scandals. 

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

According to The Mirror, an insider has suggested that Prince Andrew’s siblings Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward agreed in a meeting last January that there was “no way back” for their brother. The source claimed, “Nine months ago Charles, Anne and Edward had a meeting, a summit, and agreed there was no way back for him.”

And it seems that this opinion has held all these months later following Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit being filed in New York. The Sunday Times reports that a source close to Prince Charles said that although the Prince “loves his brother”, the scandal brings “unwelcome reputational damage to the institution”.  

They added that this has supposedly convinced the Prince of Wales that “a way back for the duke is demonstrably not possible, because the spectre of this raises its head with hideous regularity”. 

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

“There is no way in the world he’s ever coming back, the family will never let it happen,” a royal source alleged to the publication.

Whilst Prince Charles’ eldest son Prince William is reportedly in agreement, after previously attending so-called crisis talks with his father and grandmother over the decision for Andrew to depart public life.

The Sunday Times reports that a source close to the Duke of Cambridge suggested that what “really gets him” is his uncle’s perceived “ungracious and ungrateful attitude” to his royal position, which they allege Prince William views as a “threat to the family”.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Andrew, Duke of York talk as they leave St George's Chapel after attending the annual Order of the Garter Service

(Image credit: Photo by Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

These reports come just weeks after Prince Andrew featured in the new Prince Philip documentary alongside his siblings and many of the Queen's grandchildren as they shared memories of the late Duke of Edinburgh and celebrated his extraordinary legacy. After the documentary aired, however, many royal fans slammed the BBC for Prince Andrew's participation amid the ongoing scandal. 

As the speculation regarding the allegations continues, it seems unlikely that Prince Andrew will ever return to his former role. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!