Prince Andrew has been reminded by King Charles that his position within the Royal Family remains unchanged, despite recent developments in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal, according to a source.
The Duke of York is said to have been feeling "chipper" following the White House’s announcement that Epstein did not keep a list of clients.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, took his own life in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, which he had denied.
In 2024, a New York court had been preparing to release names allegedly linked to the disgraced financier.
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|Prince Andrew receives 'reminder from King Charles' as Epstein fallout continues
However, earlier this month, both the US Department of Justice and the FBI concluded no such list existed.
A royal source told the Mail that the Duke of York had felt optimistic following the end of the FBI’s investigations, but a new twist involving former US President Donald Trump has brought renewed unease.
The publication reported: "As the King returns to Scotland for his summer break, my mole reports Prince Andrew is still on the guest list for a Balmoral holiday.
"But, with Trump's second thoughts about releasing documents, Andrew's anxiety continues.
BBC | Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis photographed together in 2019 at Buckingham Palace
"It hasn't helped that he has received a reminder from the King that events don't allow him to return to royal duty."
In August 2024, Andrew was described as "a little bit reclusive" amid reports of tension with the King over the Duke’s continued tenancy at Royal Lodge.
The Epstein case is only one of several controversies that have dogged the Duke in recent years. Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following his infamous BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
In 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped him of all military titles and royal patronages. He also stopped using the HRH (His Royal Highness) style, and several of his former roles — including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards — were passed to other family members.
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| Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein photographed together in 2000LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
PA | Prince Andrew attending the Coronation in May 2023Earlier this year, Andrew found himself in headlines again over an investigation involving an alleged Chinese spy, known as “H6”. The individual was later identified as Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old businessman who requested that his anonymity be lifted. He said the claims of espionage were "entirely untrue".
Andrew responded by stating he had "ceased all contact" with Yang, and his office insisted "nothing of a sensitive nature [was] ever discussed".
Lord Chris Patten, the final Governor of Hong Kong before the 1997 handover to China, commented on the incident, suggesting Andrew may have been unwittingly targeted.
Speaking to the Mail, Patten said: "He is a hapless victim of United Front (Chinese Communist Party operatives) activity in this country." He added: "I don't think Andrew has large numbers of state secrets."