Prince Andrew has been seen at a public gathering for the first time since relocating to Sandringham, stepping out at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials on Sunday. According to Hello!, the 66-year-old attended the annual fixture on King Charles’s estate alongside his younger brother Prince Edward and sister-in-law Duchess Sophie. He was later photographed driving away in a Land Rover Defender, wearing a light blue shirt and sunglasses. The appearance marked a notable return to view after months of limited sightings near his Norfolk home.
Duchess Sophie Competes at Sandringham
The event centered in part on Duchess Sophie, 61, who took part in the carriage driving challenge linked to the trials. Prince Edward, 62, was also present and appeared relaxed as he watched, dressed in a green polo shirt and white chinos. Andrew reportedly kept a lower profile during the occasion, though he was said to have joined spectators cheering for Sophie. The gathering has long-standing royal ties, with Prince Philip having founded the driving trials in 1982, and it continues to hold a regular place in the royal summer calendar.
Marsh Farm Becomes Andrew’s Base
Andrew now lives at Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom farmhouse on the Sandringham estate, after leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this year. His move followed intense scrutiny over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and a later arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Since settling in Norfolk, public glimpses of the prince have been rare. Most have involved solitary drives or walks with his dogs. Earlier this month, he was also seen with a bruise on his face, a mark understood to be connected to a medical condition.
Prince Edward Maintains Family Contact
The latest outing also offered a small insight into Andrew’s family ties. As reported by Hello!, Prince Edward was the first senior royal to visit him over the Easter weekend after the move. Princess Anne was also said to have contacted her brother privately. King Charles, however, is not believed to have visited or spoken with Andrew in recent months. That distance has fueled continued interest in how the family is managing one of its most difficult internal situations away from the public center of royal life.
Lady Louise Misses a Familiar Fixture
One absence also stood out during the day. Lady Louise Windsor, 22, who would usually be expected at the driving trials, did not appear to take part this year. Edward and Sophie are often based at Wood Farm when staying on the estate, especially during holiday periods, making the gathering a familiar one for the family. Against that backdrop, Andrew’s attendance carried extra weight. Even without a formal role, his presence at a public royal-adjacent occasion signaled a rare break from the seclusion that has defined his life in Sandringham.
