Prince Andrew’s social standing has remained intact as King Charles has granted his younger brother special permission, according to new claims.
The Duke of York has maintained an active social life centred around shooting events, remaining a sought-after guest at pheasant, partridge and grouse shoots across Britain.
The King has permitted Andrew to continue hosting a family day at the Windsor shoot, to which he invites more than a dozen friends.
This arrangement ensures his continued participation in elite shooting circles, as reciprocating hospitality is considered essential etiquette in British shooting culture.
Prince Andrew’s social standing remains intact as King grants special permission.
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A shooting source told the Daily Beast that many are happy to "bathe in his title."
One shooting acquaintance explained: "The British upper classes are inherently sympathetic to the Royal Family."
Prince Andrew is understood to be experiencing "relief" following the FBI's closure of its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, according to friends of the Duke of York.
The end of the probe means the prince can now travel to the United States if required and devote his full attention to business matters.
Prince Andrew spends much of his time at Royal Lodge.PA"It's no secret that it has been a rough couple of years for Andrew, but he is a hard-working guy and he has been working away on deals in the Gulf quietly in the background," a friend told the publication.
"Now, he can put all his focus into business matters. Of course, he is relieved the FBI have now closed the Epstein files, as it means he can travel to America if he wants or needs to. It's over."
According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, Andrew is eager to maintain a certain lifestyle and has turned to longstanding contacts to support this.
The prince, who stopped receiving taxpayer money in 2019, has been quietly facilitating deals between his billionaire contacts over the past three years, sources have claimed.
The Duke of York stepped back from his role as a working royal in 2019 following his controversial interview on BBC's Newsnight programme.GettyThese connections include sheikhs, businessmen and potentates across the Gulf states and Asia.
Lownie is set to publish "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York" next month, a thoroughly researched biography of the prince and his family.
Another friend defended the prince's activities, stating: "The whole thing has been incredibly unfair. He has never been found guilty of anything and has been traduced in the media. He just wants to get on with his life and his business ventures."
The prince emerged victorious in a significant dispute with King Charles over his residence at Royal Lodge, which he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in separate wings.
King Charles previously suggested Andrew should downsize to Frogmore Cottage.
PAThe King made considerable efforts to relocate Andrew to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry that remains empty.
Andrew successfully resisted by relying on his long lease agreement for the property, refusing the offer to move.
The dispute was seen by some as a blow to King Charles’s authority, particularly as he had initiated the dispute whilst managing his cancer diagnosis.
Prince Andrew's refusal to move proved decisive, allowing him to retain his home at Royal Lodge.