Prince Andrew was born on the 19th February 1960 and is the second son of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of his birth, Prince Andrew was the second in line for succession to the throne. However, as time passed and more babies were born in the British Royal family, Prince Andrew became the fourth in line for inheriting the royal throne. In 1986 he was invested with the royal title that he is currently holding, that of the Duke of York. This is the most important date of his royal family member history as it has been the starting point of new responsibilities that Prince Andrew took on.
Besides the royal duties and engagements that Prince Andrew deals with like any other member of the British Royal Family, he also has the role of Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.
Since the time of his birth, Prince Andrew bore the title of His Royal Highness. His early education took place at the Buckingham Palace, by the aid of a governess who dealt with educating him and his siblings, in keeping with Royal tradition. He was then sent to Heatherdown preparatory school in order to attend the same school as his father and elder brother, and then Gordonstoun, located in Northern Scotland. He studied ‘A’ levels in Political Science, Economics, History and English Language.
Prince Andrew did not attend University, and instead preferred to enter the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
After college, Prince Andrew joined the British Royal Navy, where he served as a midshipman. In Dartmouth he also took Royal Marines Green Beret commando courses. After completing his naval career, Prince Andrew decided to re-orient his military activity and undertook pilot training in order to serve abroad with the Naval Air Squadron. While serving with the British Naval Air Squadron, Prince Andrew also served in the Falklands War. His wartime activity as a pilot and naval officer were described as “excellent and promising” by his Commander, Nigel Ward.
Prince Andrew got married the same day he was invested with the title of Duke of York, in 1986. He married Sarah Ferguson with whom he had two children, Beatrice and Eugenie. Unfortunately the marriage lasted less than 10 years and they later divorced.
As the Duke of York, Prince Andrew deals with issues related to UK Trade and Investment and has undertaken the role of Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. He was also a member of the Scout Association and also deals with Canadian military service issues.
As far as hobbies and personal interests are concerned, Prince Andrew is keen on golf and was captain of the Royal Golf Club of St. Andrews in the period 2003-2004. He is also the honorary member of numerous royal golf clubs. Recent news reports (August 2009) state that Prince Andrew has lowered his golf handicap so much that he would now be eligible to apply for professional status, and to compete on the professional golf circuit, should he wish to do that.
- Full Name: Andrew Albert Christian Edward
- Father: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
- Mother: Queen Elizabeth II
- Born: 19 February 1960 in London
- Married: 1986, to Sarah Ferguson
- Children: Beatrice (b.1988). Eugenie (b. 1990)
