Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson leave Royal Lodge on April 27, 2025. Photo:
TheImageDirect.com
Prince Andrew went driving in Windsor in what marked his first appearance since Virginia Giuffre, whose previous accusations of sexual abuse led to his fall from grace, died by suicide.
On April 27, the Duke of York, 65, was photographed driving from Royal Lodge, his home in Windsor, with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The Duke and Duchess of York divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage but remain friendly and share two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The photos showed Prince Andrew at the wheel while the Duchess of York, 65, who is popularly known as Fergie, sat in the passenger’s seat. Both wore casual clothes, and Fergie sported glasses.
It was Andrew’s first appearance since Giuffre died by suicide on Thursday, April 24, her family said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. Giuffre died in Neergabby, Australia, where she lived for the past several years. She was 41.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson leave Royal Lodge on April 27, 2025. TheImageDirect.com
Giuffre (née Roberts) was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and she alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times when she was 17. The Duke of York has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
“I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever,” Prince Andrew said when asked about Roberts’ allegations in what proved to be a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview recorded at Buckingham Palace in November 2019.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson leave Royal Lodge on April 27, 2025. TheImageDirect.com
“It just never happened,” he said, questioning the authenticity of a photo where he wrapped his arm around Giuffre’s waist.
King Charles‘ younger brother took a seismic step back from royal duties amid backlash a few days after the interview aired, and his mother, Queen Elizabeth, stripped him of his military titles and patronages in January 2022 amid Giuffre’s civil sexual assault lawsuit.
Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts and Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo allegedly taken in early 2001. MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
An out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum was reached that February, and Prince Andrew has been outside of the limelight since then, except for major family events.
The Duke and Duchess of York were most recently seen on Easter, where they joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, their daughter Princess Beatrice and other members of the royal family for the traditional Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attend the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 20, 2025. Samir Hussein/WireImage
Despite his step back from his royal role, Andrew retains the 31-room Royal Lodge as his private home and main base.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
