Prince Andrew facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
Andrew in 2013
Born	Prince Andrew (1960-02-19) 19 February 1960 (age 65) Buckingham Palace, London, England
Spouse	Sarah Ferguson ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 1996)​
Issue	Princess Beatrice Princess Eugenie
Full name Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor
House	Windsor
Father	Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Mother	Elizabeth II
Education	Gordonstoun Britannia Royal Naval College
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of active service	1979–2001
Rank	Vice admiral
Battles/wars	Falklands War
Signature

Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor (born 19 February 1960) is a member of the British royal family. He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the younger brother of King Charles III. At the time of his birth, he was second in the line of succession to the British throne; he is now eighth.

Andrew served for 22 years in the Royal Navy. He was a helicopter pilot and instructor and also served as the captain of a warship. During the Falklands War in 1982, he flew on many missions, including rescue and transport operations.

In 1986, he married Sarah Ferguson, and they were given the titles Duke and Duchess of York. They have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996 but have remained on good terms.

For ten years, from 2001 to 2011, Andrew worked as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. He stepped down from this role after his friendships with certain people were questioned.

In 2019, Andrew stopped performing public duties because of his connection to an American businessman involved in serious legal trouble. Later, serious accusations were made against Andrew, which he has always denied. The issue was resolved with a private legal agreement in 2022. After this, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, removed his military titles and charity roles. In October 2025, King Charles III began a formal process to remove his other titles.

Early life and education

Gordonstoun school in Scotland, where Andrew studied.

Andrew with his parents and brother Edward at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada.

Andrew was born in the Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace on 19 February 1960. He was the first child born to a reigning British monarch in 103 years. He was christened Andrew Albert Christian Edward in the palace's Music Room on 8 April 1960.

Like his older siblings, Charles and Anne, Andrew was first taught at home by a governess. He later attended Heatherdown School. In 1973, he went to Gordonstoun in Scotland, the same school his father and older brother attended. He also spent six months as an exchange student at Lakefield College School in Canada. He finished his studies at Gordonstoun with A-levels in English, history, and economics.

Naval military service

Training and the Falklands War

In 1979, Andrew joined the Royal Navy. He trained as a helicopter pilot at the Britannia Royal Naval College. After earning his pilot wings, he learned to fly the Sea King helicopter. He then joined the 820 Naval Air Squadron on the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.

In 1982, the Falklands War began when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Andrew's ship, Invincible, was sent to the South Atlantic as part of the British task force. The government was worried about a prince being in a war zone, but Queen Elizabeth II insisted that he should stay with his crew.

During the war, Andrew served as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot. He flew on many important missions, including searching for enemy submarines, acting as a decoy for missiles, and rescuing injured soldiers. When the war ended, Invincible returned to Portsmouth, where the Queen and Prince Philip welcomed the crew home.

Later naval career

With US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in 2011.

After the war, Andrew continued his career in the navy. On 1 February 1984, he was promoted to lieutenant and became a personal aide-de-camp to the Queen. He served on several ships, including HMS Brazen and HMS Edinburgh.

He became a helicopter warfare instructor and later commanded the mine-hunting ship HMS Cottesmore from 1993 to 1994. He was promoted to commander in 1999 and finished his active service in 2001 at the Ministry of Defence.

Even after leaving active service, he received honorary promotions, becoming a rear admiral in 2010 and a vice admiral in 2015. In January 2022, he stopped using his honorary military titles, but he kept his service rank of vice admiral.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Andrew and Sarah in Townsville, Australia, in 1988.

Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986. On their wedding day, the Queen gave him the title Duke of York. Andrew and Sarah had known each other since they were children.

The couple had two daughters:

• Princess Beatrice, born in 1988
• Princess Eugenie, born in 1990

Andrew's naval career meant he was often away from home, which put a strain on their marriage. They announced their separation in March 1992 and divorced on 30 May 1996. Despite their divorce, they have remained close friends and raised their daughters together. For many years, they have shared a home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Interests

Andrew is a skilled golfer and was once the captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He was a patron of several golf clubs until he stepped back from his royal duties.

Public work and royal duties

For many years, Andrew carried out official duties for the Queen. He supported many charities and organizations, especially those focused on education, science, and business.

From 2001 to 2011, he was the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. In this role, he travelled the world to promote British businesses. He left the position in 2011 after facing criticism about some of his friendships and expenses.

In 2014, he founded Pitch@Palace, an project to help entrepreneurs and new businesses connect with investors and mentors. The project held events at St James's Palace and around the world.

In January 2022, it was announced that all of his charity patronages had been returned to the Queen.

Titles and styles

Royal monogram

From birth, Andrew was known as "His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew". After his wedding in 1986, he became "His Royal Highness The Duke of York".

In January 2022, Andrew stopped using the style "His Royal Highness" in any official way. The City of York Council also removed his honorary "Freedom of the City" title.

On 30 October 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had started a "formal process" to remove his brother's titles. He is now to be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

Issue

Images for kids

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  Andrew and his daughter Eugenie at Trooping the Colour, 2012.

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  Andrew with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese prime minister Tarō Asō in 2009.

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  Andrew at the World Economic Forum in 2008.

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  Andrew presenting an award to Hillary Clinton in 2013.

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  With US President Donald Trump in London, 2019.

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  With Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Andrés de York para niños