The Duke of York has been seen for the first time since he announced he would step back from royal duties over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Prince Andrew said on Wednesday he would withdraw from his official role for the “foreseeable future”.

Criticism of the prince’s ties to convicted US sex offender Epstein intensified amid a growing backlash following a BBC interview. Lawyers for Epstein’s victims have urged the prince to speak to US police. The prince was seen by photographers on Thursday driving out of his home in Windsor, Berkshire.

Prince Andrew became a full-time working member of the Royal Family following his retirement from the Royal Navy. The announcement that he would be stepping down from public duties, described by Buckingham Palace as “a personal decision”, was taken following discussions with the Queen and Prince Charles.

The retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh from public life in 2017 is the most recent example of where a working royal has stepped back from their duties. Although under very different circumstances, in Prince Philip’s case, some of his long-held patronages have been passed to other family members. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex were among the royals to take on his former patronages.(BBC)…[+]