Prince Andrew makes surprise return to royal duties three months after stepping down

Last week, The Duke of York made his first royal appearance since his BBC Newsnight interview.

• In November, Prince Andrew stepped back from royal life and issued a statement saying it was “for the foreseeable future”.
• The Duke of York visited China’s embassy to the UK alongside ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.
• This follows royal news (opens in new tab) that reveals why Prince Andrew’s birthday will be hit with a major change this year. (opens in new tab)

Following his decision to step down, Prince Andrew has not made any royal appearances since November, but he was photographed visiting the Chinese ambassador to the UK on 8th February.

Taking to Twitter, ambassador Liu Xiaoming explained why the York family had visited. He wrote, ‘Her Majesty The Queen sent an encouraging message to President Xi and Chinese people.

‘At the critical time of fighting #coronavirus, I express my sincere sympathy for Chinese people, and pray for the speedy control and victory over the virus. It was conveyed by Duke of York’.

A second tweet added more context, explaining that he had been invited to celebrate Chinese New Year.

It read, ‘My wife and I invited Duke of York and his family to our residence and celebrated Chinese New Year. Their enthusiasm for China and contribution to China-UK relation is highly appreciated.’

Princess Beatrice’s fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi was also in attendance, and posed for a group photograph alongside Liu Xiaoming and wife Madam Hu Pinghua.

Recently it was confirmed that Princess Beatrice’s wedding will take place in the spring (opens in new tab), and will be in a very special location.

Prince Andrew will give away Princess Beatrice on her wedding day, but the ceremony will not be televised.

According to the court circular, the Duke of York’s last official royal engagement took place on 11th November 2019, where he held a Regimental Council Meeting.

It’s not yet known whether Prince Andrew will return to royal duties in full, or what he’s got coming up next.