His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of York (born February 19, 1960), a member of the British Royal Family, is the third child (and second son) of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highess The Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York, Baron Killyleagh, Earl of Inverness, KCVO, ADC was born at Buckingham Palace, the first child born to a reigning monarch since Queen Victoria's youngest child, Princess Beatrice, in 1857. Prior to his marriage, he was known as His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew received his early education at home, before attending Heatherdown Preparatory School, near Ascot, Berkshire. In September 1973, he followed his father, The Duke of Edinburgh, and his elder brother, The Prince of Wales, to Gordonstoun, near Morayshire, Scotland. From January to June 1977, the prince went on an exchange program to Lakefield College, Ontario, Canada. He left Gordonstoun in July 1979 with A-levels in English, history and economics, and political science. Unlike his brothers, Prince Andrew did not attend university.
The Duke of York had a twenty-year career as a naval officer. In September 1979, he joined the Royal Navy on a short-term commission as a seaman officer specializing as a helicopter pilot. He entered the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and elder brother. A trained helicopter pilot, the Duke of York retired from active duty at the rank of commander in July 2001. After leaving the navy, he succeeded his cousin, The Duke of Kent, as the United Kingdom's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.
In his late teens and early twenties, Prince Andrew earned a reputation as a playboy, and his relationships with "unsuitable" women, particularly the actress/model, Koo Stark, attracted unwanted media attention and gained him the nickname "Randy Andy". During the Falklands War of 1982, Prince Andrew was on active service as a helicopter pilot, and this helped improve his public image. After the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, it was the Duke of York who spoke to the media on behalf of the royal family.
On July 23, 1986 Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson, the second daughter of the late Major Ronald Ferguson and his former wife, the late Mrs. Hector Barrantes, at Westminster Abbey. On the occassion of his wedding, the Queen created him Duke of York, a title previsouly held by both his maternal great grandfather, King George V, and his maternal grandfather, King George VI.
The Duke and Duchess of York divorced on May 30, 1996, having had two daughters, Princess Beatrice of York (born August 8, 1988) and Princess Eugenie of York (born March 23, 1990). The Duke of York was widely seen as the injured party in the divorce. His performance as a husband and family man had impressed the general public, and he is currently one of the more popular members of the British Royal Family.
The Duke of York and his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, share custody of their children. The Duke currently lives at Sunninghill Park, next to the Great Park, Windsor. In 2002, Buckingham Palace announced the Duke of York would move his official residence to Royal Lodge, Windsor, the former country home of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The Duke of York maintains an office at Buckingham Palace.
He is Colonel-in-Chief of the following regiments:
| Preceded by: HRH Prince Henry of Wales | Line of Succession to the British throne | Followed by: HRH Princess Beatrice of York |