Prince Andrew Surprises at Easter Service Amid Ongoing Controversy

WINDSOR, England — Prince Andrew made a notable appearance at the Easter Sunday service held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla. This marks Andrew’s first public engagement since troubling details about his connections to an alleged Chinese spy emerged earlier this month.

Arriving at the chapel with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, and Princess Anne‘s husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Andrew entered the venue ahead of his sister. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived shortly after, acknowledging the gathered crowds with smiles and waves.

The royal family has maintained a distance from Andrew following his controversial interview in 2019 regarding his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was stripped of his military titles and rights to use the HRH title after settling a legal dispute with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault.

Recent reports of Andrew’s links to Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy, have intensified scrutiny. Andrew missed Christmas at Sandringham last year after Yang was banned from the UK on security grounds. Yang, who has denied involvement in espionage, is said to have advised Andrew on letters sent to China’s President Xi Jinping.

An ex-aide to Andrew, Dominic Hampshire, stated that the royal household, including Queen Elizabeth II, was aware of this communication, which was viewed as a beneficial channel for diplomacy. “It was certainly accepted and it may be fair to say it was even encouraged,” Hampshire noted in his statement to a tribunal.

Other attendees at the Easter service included the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, their son James, and Princess Eugenie with her husband, Jack Brooksbank. Notably absent were the Prince and Princess of Wales, who chose to spend the holiday weekend with their children in Norfolk.

The Prince and Princess of Wales missed last year’s Easter service after Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis. The couple is reportedly enjoying family time at their residence, Anmer Hall.

King Charles, who continues to undergo treatment for cancer, attended the service with a spirited presence. Crowds had cheered for him as he approached the chapel, a further testament to his ongoing public engagement despite health challenges.

As the royal family continues to navigate the controversies surrounding Prince Andrew, royal experts weigh in on his potential re-integration into official duties. Some speculate that Andrew views recent developments as possibly paving the way for his return, while others maintain that public sentiment remains against his reinstatement as a working royal.

Historian and royal commentator Phil Dampier emphasized the family’s desire to maintain unity, stating, “It was very much a show of family unity. He’s not totally out in the cold.” However, he also cautioned that Andrew’s comeback may still face significant public resistance.