Prince Andrew has been seen in public just days before the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, despite reports confirming his exclusion from this year’s royal festivities. The Duke of York, 64, was spotted on Wednesday afternoon enjoying a horseback ride through Windsor alongside Terry Pendry, the former stud groom to Queen Elizabeth II, according to GB News.
Later in the day, the prince was also seen driving through the Windsor estate. His appearance comes ahead of Trooping the Colour, the traditional celebration marking the official birthday of the British sovereign. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, and will be the second Trooping the Colour of King Charles III’s reign.
Prince Andrew’s anticipated absence from the ceremony aligns with ongoing restrictions imposed on non-working royals. Under changes introduced during the final years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, only working members of the Royal Family and their children are invited to participate in the official balcony appearance and related ceremonial events.
As a result, Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will also be absent from the festivities. The event will feature King Charles, who will be joined by Queen Camilla, his siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. Their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are also expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the military parade.
Trooping the Colour has long been a significant and symbolic event in the British royal calendar. It includes a formal parade by the Household Division and a traditional RAF flypast. It also provides a rare public display of unity among senior members of the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew, once a prominent member of the monarchy, stepped back from public duties following widespread backlash over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He later settled a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse—allegations he has consistently denied.
Though he has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, the Duke of York occasionally makes public appearances, primarily in Windsor, where he resides at Royal Lodge. This week’s sighting of Andrew comes as the Royal Family prepares for one of its most highly watched annual events, albeit without several familiar faces, including the once-visible Duke of York.