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Prince Andrew: Who is the royal and where is he in line to the throne?

Prince Andrew, Duke of York visits Mother London on March 13, 2013 in London, England: Getty Images
Prince Andrew, Duke of York visits Mother London on March 13, 2013 in London, England: Getty Images

The Royal Family has welcomed numerous new additions to its expanding brood over the years, most recently following the birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor in May 2019.

However, there are several key members in the Windsor family who regularly make public appearances and speak on behalf of the Commonwealth.

While the Prince of Wales and his offspring – the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex – often hit the headlines as a result of their work supporting mental health charities, speaking about the threat of the climate crisis and make red carpet appearances at star-studded events, others go about life less in the spotlight.

The Duke of York is one such individual. As one of four children of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the 59-year-old has forged a prominent career for himself in the Navy and in international trade affairs.

Here’s everything you need to know about Prince Andrew:

When was he born?

Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward is the Queen and Prince Philip's third child. At the time of his birth on 19 February 1960, he was second in line to the throne behind his older brother, Prince Charles.

HM 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. (Getty Images)

As it currently stands, the royal is now eighth in the order of succession, moving down from seventh place following the birth of the Duke of Sussex’s child, Archie Harrison, on 6 May 2019.

What is his job?

The royal holds the rank of commander and the honorary rank of vice admiral in the Royal Navy.

During his career in the military, Andrew served as an active-duty helicopter pilot, instructor and the captain of a warship.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2013 in Ascot, England. (Getty Images)
Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2013 in Ascot, England. (Getty Images)

He also served during the Falklands War in 1982 and Britain's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment until July 2011.

The duke’s biography on the royal family’s website states: “Much of The Duke of York's work is focussed on promoting economic growth and skilled job creation in the UK, with particular emphasis on education and skills, entrepreneurship and science, technology and engineering.”

He is also founder of Pitch@Palace – an annual event at which budding entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a roomful of potential supporters from the business community.

Does he have children?

The royal has two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, from his marriage to Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson.

The pair wed on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey and separated in 1992, finalising their divorce in 1996. The pair remain very close and are regularly seen on outings and on holiday together.

Beatrice was born 8 August 1988 and Eugenie was welcomed into the royal family on 23 March 1990.

In 2016, the duke said there was “no truth” in rumours of a rift between him and Prince Charles over his daughters' participation as members of the royal family.

Britain's Princess Eugenie of York (L) walks up the aisle with her father Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (R) to marry Jack Brooksbank during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on October 12, 2018 (Getty Images)
Britain's Princess Eugenie of York (L) walks up the aisle with her father Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (R) to marry Jack Brooksbank during their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on October 12, 2018 (Getty Images)

In a rare public statement, Andrew posted a link on Twitter in response to rumours regarding Eugenie and Beatrice.

He said: “It is a complete fabrication to suggest I have asked for any future husbands of the Princesses to have titles.

“There is no truth to the story that there could be a split between The Prince of Wales and I over my daughters' participation as members of the Royal Family and any continued speculation is pointless.”

On 14 October 2018, Eugenie married financier Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Two years later on 17 July 2020, Beatrice married property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a secret ceremony at All Saints Chapel in Windsor Great Park.

Where does he live?

Royal Lodge is the official resident of the Duke of York, which is located in Windsor Great Park.

The Queen Mother previously lived in the private resident before the site was gifted to Prince Andrew in 2003.

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. (Getty Images)
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. (Getty Images)

In 2004, the prince moved into the property with his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie. Despite his divorce from Ferguson, she moved into Royal Lodge in 2008 and it is widely believed to be her permanent residence.

“I’m in and out all the time and he’s in and out all the time,” the mother-of-two explained of their relationship in an interview with Australian radio host Kyle Sandiland in 2016.