Prince Andrew (Windsor) Mountbatten-Windsor KG GCVO CD

Ancestors

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Biography

Prince Andrew (Windsor) Mountbatten-Windsor KG GCVO CD is Notable.

Note: In 1960, the Queen and Prince Philip decided that all their direct descendants should bear the name 'Mountbatten-Windsor' ^[1]

Prince Andrew (Windsor) Mountbatten-Windsor KG GCVO CD is a member of the House of Windsor.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was born at Buckingham Palace on 19 February 1960, as Andrew Albert Christian Edward Windsor. ^{[2] [3]} He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Andrew is currently 9th in line to the thrones of the Commonwealth.

He was first taught by a governess, then went to a private school, then - like Prince Philip and Prince Charles - attended Gordonstoun in Scotland. He participated in an exchange programme with a school in Canada, then when he finished school, he had three A-levels.

In 1979, Prince Andrew joined the Royal Navy, began as a trainee helicopter pilot, and signed on for 12 years. He rose through the ranks and became first, a midshipman, and then a sub-lieutenant. He completed the Royal Marines commando course and received a Green Beret. He completed his elementary flying training at RAF Leeming, and his basic flying training on HMS Seahawk, flying a Gazelle helicopter. During his advanced training, he learned to pilot the Sea King helicopter, which was designed and manufactured by Westland Helicopters in Somerset. He served aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible, attached to 820 Naval Air Squadron. Prince Andrew remained as a helicopter pilot on board HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, and stayed on board HMS Invincible until 1983. ^[4]

On 23 July 1986, Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson in Westminster Abbey. The Prince was created Duke of York on the same day. The couple had two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, but in 1992 indicated that they were going to separate; ^[5] they divorced on 30 May 1996, sharing custody of their daughters.

Prince Andrew then joined RNAS Portland and learned to fly the Lynx helicopter, which holds the world's speed record of 400.87 km/h (249.09 mph). Promoted to Lieutenant, he undertook a helicopter warfare instructor's course at RNAS Yeovilton, and used his newfound skills at 702 Naval Air Squadron. He served as flight commander, piloting the Lynx HAS3 from 1989 to 1991 on HMS Campbeltown.

Prince Andrew then completed the Army Staff course and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He was Senior Pilot of 815 Naval Air Squadron, was promoted to Commander in 1999, and retired from active duty in 2001. ^[6] He was subsequently promoted to Honorary Captain, then Rear Admiral in 2010, and Vice Admiral in 2015. ^[7]

Scandals concerning the Duke were widely publicised by the press, so in 2019 an announcement was made that Prince Andrew would 'suspend his public duties for the foreseeable future'. ^[8] The Palace confirmed that Prince Andrew was going to remove himself from all 230 patronages. In 2022, he had his HRH (His Royal Highness) removed, together with his military medals. He retains his military rank of Vice Admiral and is still in line of succession for the throne.

Coat of Arms of Prince Andrew, Duke of York

Sources

1. ↑ Royal Name Change on royal.uk
2. ↑ England & Wales birth registration: Westminster [district], Volume 5c, Page 348, March quarter 1960
3. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41961/page/1377 (London Gazette)
4. ↑ Naval Service (royal.uk)
5. ↑ Fergie and Andrew to split (BBC)
6. ↑ Prince Andrew Retires (London Gazette)
7. ↑ Prince Andrew becomes Vice Admiral (London Gazette)
8. ↑ Statement on stepping back (royal.uk)

See Also:

• Wikipedia:Prince Andrew, Duke of York