'No appetite for him': Scandal-ridden Prince Andrew receives firm message from King Charles III he won't return to royal duties despite FBI dropping Jeffrey Epstein case

Sky News AU

8 hours ago

Prince Andrew's hopes of returning to royal duties have been firmly shut down by King Charles, despite the FBI confirming it will not pursue any further charges in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
According to recent reports, the 65-year-old Duke of York has felt "optimistic" about stepping back into public life following announcements from the FBI and the US Department of Justice that no client list from Epstein exists and no third-party prosecutions will be pursued.
But while the legal cloud may have lifted, his status within the Royal Family remains unchanged.
Speaking to The Royal Report's Caroline Di Russo on Sunday, news.com.au's Bronte Coy confirmed the reminder from the King "shouldn't have come as too big of a surprise" to Andrew, though "it seems to have done".
"The reports are that technically, the FBI are not pursuing any third-party charges (in relation to the Epstein case), and it seems that, in that regard, that shadow that has been cast over Andrew over the last few years is over now," Coy explained.
"But when it comes to his royal duties and public life, nothing has changed."
Coy said recent reporting suggested Andrew was "chipper" after the FBI dropped its investigation and was "possibly optimistic" about re-entering public life.
But Charles, 76, has remained steadfast.
"Andrew has been out of royal duties for five years, ever since his disastrous Newsnight interview, and he's had several controversies- his ties to Epstein were really just one of them,' she said.
Coy also pointed to Andrew's links to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo in late 2024, which saw him excluded from the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations.
"At the very least, Prince Andrew is accused of very poor judgment along the way," Coy added.
There also appears to be no public support for Andrew's return.
"There's no appetite from the British public for him to return to Royal duties," Coy said.
"And there seems to be no appetite at all from The King.
"It was that reminder to Andrew that, despite the fact that it's a relief for him that the line has been drawn in the sand by the FBI, in terms of his future, he will probably just continue living life the way he was before- which by many accounts is largely reclusive."
Though Andrew still resides at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, he has no public role and "there really doesn't look like there will ever be a return to it".
Di Russo agreed, saying, "The Royal Family is trying to be relevant and relatable, and he just doesn't fit that strategy at all."
Despite the end of legal proceedings, Prince Andrew's association with Epstein continues to raise eyebrows.
As recently as last week, the Mirror reported Andrew was allegedly asked to contribute a message to a leather-bound birthday album for Epstein's 50th birthday- compiled in 2003 by Ghislaine Maxwell.
The "bawdy" book reportedly contained letters and notes from Epstein's inner circle, celebrating his supposed genius and generosity.
"Jeffrey always saw Andrew as the pinnacle of his pals," a source told the Mirror.
"Ghislaine made sure he was asked to contribute. She made it sound like an honour to be included."
It remains unclear whether Andrew submitted a message.
The father-of-two settled a civil sexual abuse case with the late Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser, in 2022, reportedly paying more than £12 million (AUD $16.3 million).
That same year, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped him of his HRH title.