Prince Andrew makes first public appearance at Sandringham Horse Driving Trials

Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, attended the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials on the King’s Norfolk estate, marking his first public appearance since his February arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He arrived quietly, watching the “SanDrivingHam” competition from a shaded area and left the field at about 10:30 a.m., shortly after his sister‑in‑law Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, completed her round. Witnesses described his presence as a “sneak‑in, sneak‑out” and noted he drove away in a Land Rover Defender.

Andrew’s visit was seen as a gesture of support for Sophie, who competed in the carriage‑driving event. He was accompanied by his younger brother Prince Edward, who also attended the trials. The former prince lives at Marsh Farm, a five‑bedroom house on the Sandringham estate, after being evicted from Royal Lodge earlier in the year. In recent weeks he made a private‑jet trip to Brittany, France, where he stayed at a luxury estate hosted by an Arab businessman, returning with a noticeable bruise on his face. The French excursion and his low‑profile appearance at Sandringham highlight the ongoing tension between his imposed exile and his ability to travel abroad under private arrangements.