Prince Andrew, Duke of York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Andrew |
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| Duke of York (more) | |||||
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Andrew in 2013
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| Born | 19 February 1960 Buckingham Palace, London, England |
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| House | Windsor | ||||
| Father | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | ||||
| Mother | Elizabeth II | ||||
| Education |
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| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
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| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
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| Years of active service | 1979–2001 | ||||
| Rank | Vice Admiral | ||||
| Battles/wars | Falklands War | ||||
Prince Andrew, Duke of York (born Andrew Albert Christian Edward on 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. He is also a younger brother of King Charles III.
When he was born, Andrew was second in line to the British throne. Today, he is eighth in line. He is the first person in the line of succession who is not a direct descendant of the current King. Prince Andrew served in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot and also as a warship captain. He flew many missions during the Falklands War. In 1986, he married Sarah Ferguson and was given the title Duke of York. They have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Their marriage and later divorce were widely reported. As the Duke of York, Andrew carried out official duties for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He also worked as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment for 10 years. In 2020, Andrew stepped back from his public royal duties. In 2022, the Queen removed his honorary military titles and royal charity roles.
Early Life and Education
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Andrew was born at Buckingham Palace in London on 19 February 1960. He was the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the first child born to a reigning British monarch since 1857. Like his older siblings, Charles and Anne, and younger brother Edward, Andrew was taught by a governess at Buckingham Palace when he was very young.
Later, he attended Heatherdown School in Berkshire. In September 1973, he went to Gordonstoun in Scotland, which his father and older brother had also attended. While at Gordonstoun, he spent six months in Canada on an exchange program. He finished school in 1979 with good grades in English, history, and economics.
Military Service
In November 1978, it was announced that Andrew would join the Royal Navy. He began his training in 1979 and was accepted as a trainee helicopter pilot. He signed up to serve for 12 years. In September 1979, he became a midshipman and entered Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. He also completed the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course, earning his Green Beret. In 1981, he became a sub-lieutenant.
After Dartmouth, Andrew trained to fly helicopters with the Royal Air Force and then the Royal Navy. He learned to fly the Gazelle and Sea King helicopters. After earning his pilot wings, he joined the 820 Naval Air Squadron. This squadron was based on the aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible.
Service in the Falklands War
On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. This led to the Falklands War. The ship Andrew was on, HMS Invincible, was one of the main aircraft carriers used by the Royal Navy in the conflict.
The British government was worried about the Queen's son being in danger. However, the Queen insisted that Andrew stay with his ship. Prince Andrew remained on board Invincible as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot. He flew missions such as looking for submarines, attacking enemy ships, and helping as a decoy for missiles. He also helped with moving injured people and search and rescue. He saw the Argentinian attack on the SS Atlantic Conveyor. After the war, HMS Invincible returned to Portsmouth. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were there to welcome the ship home.
In late 1983, Andrew trained to fly the Lynx helicopter. On 1 February 1984, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Queen Elizabeth II also made him her personal aide-de-camp. Prince Andrew served on HMS Brazen as a pilot until 1986. He then trained as a helicopter warfare instructor. From 1987 to 1988, he served as a helicopter warfare officer. He also served on HMS Edinburgh until 1989.
From 1989 to 1991, the Duke of York was a flight commander and pilot on HMS Campbeltown. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in 1992. From 1993 to 1994, Prince Andrew commanded the minehunter ship HMS Cottesmore.
From 1995 to 1996, Andrew was a Senior Pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He was promoted to Commander in 1999. He finished his active naval career at the Ministry of Defence in 2001. In July of that year, Andrew retired from active service in the Navy. He was later made an Honorary Captain in 2004. On his 50th birthday in 2010, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. Five years later, he became a Vice Admiral. In January 2022, he stopped using his honorary military titles.
Personal Life
Interests and Hobbies
Andrew enjoys golf and has played it for many years. He was captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews from 2003 to 2004. He was also a patron of several royal golf clubs. In 2022, he resigned his honorary membership from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
Andrew is also a member of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. This is an old and important group in the City of London related to shipbuilding.
Marriage and Family
Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey on 23 July 1986. On the same day, Queen Elizabeth II gave him the titles Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. These titles were previously held by his grandfather and great-grandfather. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson had known each other since they were children. They met again at Royal Ascot in 1985.
The couple had two daughters: Princess Beatrice (born 1988) and Princess Eugenie (born 1990). Their marriage ended in divorce on 30 May 1996.
Residences
After their divorce, Andrew and Sarah continued to share a home at Sunninghill Park to raise their daughters. In 2004, Andrew moved to the Royal Lodge. Sarah later moved into Dolphin House nearby. In 2008, after a fire at Dolphin House, Sarah moved back into Royal Lodge. As of April 2024, they still live there together. Andrew has a long-term lease for Royal Lodge.
Activities and Charitable Work
Supporting Charities and Initiatives
The Duke of York supported many organizations. He was a patron of the Middle East Association (MEA), which helps promote trade and good relations. He also supported UK businesses after his role as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment ended. He was especially keen on helping young entrepreneurs.
He was a patron of Fight for Sight, a charity that researches eye diseases. He was also a member of the Scout Association. Andrew often visited Canada for his Canadian military roles. He was known to be very knowledgeable about Canadian military methods. He supported the charity Attend and was part of the International Advisory Board of the Royal United Services Institute.
In 2012, Andrew was part of a team that abseiled down The Shard (a very tall building in Europe). They did this to raise money for educational charities. The Duke of York also supported science and technology organizations. He became a patron of Catalyst Inc and TeenTech. In 2014, he visited Switzerland to promote British science at CERN.
In 2013, Andrew became a patron of London Metropolitan University and the University of Huddersfield. In 2015, he became the Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield. He was also recognized for promoting entrepreneurship. In November 2019, he stepped down as chancellor of the University of Huddersfield.
In March 2019, Andrew took over as patron of the Outward Bound Trust from his father. He had been chairman of the trust since 1999. In January 2022, his royal patronages were returned to the Queen.
Key Initiatives
In 2012, Andrew became interested in the Women's Interlink Foundation (WIF) in India. This charity helps women learn skills to earn money. He and his family started "Key to Freedom," a project to help sell products made by WIF.
In 2014, Andrew created the Pitch@Palace initiative. This program helps entrepreneurs share their business ideas and connect with investors and mentors. Entrepreneurs are invited to St James Palace to present their ideas. He also founded The Prince Andrew Charitable Trust, which supported young people in education and training. He created awards like the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) and the Duke of York Award for Technical Education.
Titles and Ranks
Titles and Styles
- 19 February 1960 – 23 July 1986: His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew
- 23 July 1986 – present: His Royal Highness The Duke of York
As of September 2022, Andrew is eighth in line to the succession to the British throne. He also holds the titles of Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. In January 2022, it was announced that he would no longer use his style of His Royal Highness in public.
1979–1981: Midshipman, Britannia Royal Naval College- 1981–1984: Sub Lieutenant, Pilot, 820 NAS on HMS Invincible
- 1984–1992: Lieutenant, Pilot, 815 NAS on HMS Brazen
- 1992–1999: Lieutenant Commander, Captain, HMS Cottesmore
- 1999–2005: Commander
- 2005–2010: Honorary Captain
- 2010–2015: Rear Admiral
- 2015–present: Vice Admiral
Honours and Awards
Andrew has received several honours and medals throughout his life.
Commonwealth Honours
21 February 2011: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
23 April 2006: Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG)
1977: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
1982: South Atlantic Medal, with Rosette
2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
2016: Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
1990: New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
2001: Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)
2005: Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
Foreign Honours
1988: Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav
2010: Collar of the Order of the Federation
2015: Sash of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
2017: Order of Isabella the Catholic
Appointments
- 1 February 1984 – 13 January 2022: Personal aide-de-camp to the Queen
- 23 February 1987 – 27 April 2022: Freeman of the City of York
- 2007: Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
- 5 May 2013: Royal Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
- 20 February 2015 – 13 January 2022: Grand President of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League
- 13 July 2015 – 21 November 2019: Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield
- 20 April 2016: Honorary Fellow of the Society of Light and Lighting (Hon. FSLL)
- 1 May 2018 – November 2019: Honorary Fellow of Hughes Hall, Cambridge
Former Honorary Military Appointments
In 2019, Andrew's military affiliations were paused. On 13 January 2022, they were formally returned to the Queen.
Canada
Colonel-in-Chief of The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)- Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (disbanded)
New Zealand
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment
United Kingdom
Colonel of the Grenadier Guards- Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Small Arms School Corps
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Yorkshire Regiment
- Colonel-in-Chief of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (disbanded)
- Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Lancers
- Royal Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland
Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Lossiemouth- Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm
- Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps
Coat of Arms
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Family
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Children | |
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| Date | Spouse | |||
| Princess Beatrice | 8 August 1988 | 17 July 2020 | Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi | Sienna Mapelli Mozzi |
| Princess Eugenie | 23 March 1990 | 12 October 2018 | Jack Brooksbank | August Brooksbank Ernest Brooksbank |
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Prince Andrew, Duke of York | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See also
In Spanish: Andrés de York para niños
