Former Prince Andrew’s Absence From the Easter Sunday Service Marks the Beginning of a New Chapter

Victoria MurphySun, April 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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Andrew’s Absence from Easter Sunday ServiceWPA Pool - Getty Images

The fact that former Prince Andrew did not appear with the royal family at church this Easter Sunday can be no surprise to anyone. Currently under investigation for suspicion of misconduct in public office, he has stayed out of the public eye since his arrest on February 19. His reputation remains in tatters, and the royal family’s desire to distance themselves from him could not be clearer.

Yet it was only 12 months ago that Andrew was right alongside the royals when they walked to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor for the 2025 Easter Sunday service. Then, he and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson appeared welcomed into the family fold, pictured with the family at the entrance to the 550-year-old chapel.

Andrew and Ferguson on Easter 2025.Samir Hussein - Getty Images

It was an appearance that attracted attention because Andrew had missed the 2024 Sandringham Christmas after making headlines over his links to an alleged Chinese spy. It was a reminder that the Palace’s stance at that time was that he may still appear publicly alongside the royals at family events.

But this Easter Sunday service marks a new chapter for the royal family when it comes to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Today, for the first time, his absence at a royal event comes with the understanding that this will now be the status quo. Gone are the days when there was a question mark over each public moment—it has been made explicitly clear that he will not attend any royal Christmas celebrations in a strong indication that the door is now firmly closed.

The sisters on Christmas 2025.HENRY NICHOLLS - Getty Images

Indeed, even Andrew’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie are now experiencing the effects of the repercussions of the escalation in the scandal over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Previously unscathed, since their names appeared across the 3.5 million pages of files unleashed at the start of their year, debate has opened up about the Princesses: Were they pawns in their parents’ social web or did they display their own poor judgement? It was made clear earlier this week that they had made the decision not to come to today’s service, but that this does not have any bearing on future royal events.

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Andrew at his brother King Charles’s coronation in 2023.Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images

The monarchy is still reeling from the fallout of Andrew’s links to Epstein in a saga that began way back in 2010 when he was photographed alongside the convicted sex offender. The process of ostracizing Andrew from royal life began in 2019 after the scandal reached new heights when he gave a disastrous interview to BBC’s Newsnight. Then, he stepped back from official duties but it was made clear that he would still appear publicly at family events.

In 2022, after Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against Andrew, it was announced that he would stop using the style His Royal Highness and would no longer hold his honorary military titles and royal patronages. The lawsuit was settled later that year.

In October 2025, as Virginia’s memoir was published and more information from the Epstein files began to drip into the public domain, the Palace took the strongest sanctions available to them regarding Andrew. The King removed all his titles, including Prince, and all his honors including his membership of the Order of the Garter. It was also made clear that he would be moving out of Royal Lodge.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen being driven away from a police station.MEGA - Getty Images

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February 2026 at the Sandringham Estate after 3.5 million pages of files relating to Epstein were released. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”