Prince Andrew, once a prominent figure within the British royal family, now finds himself at the center of renewed scrutiny and public disfavor. The release of Andrew Lownie's unauthorized biography, Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, has reignited debates over royal transparency, accountability, and the Duke of York's future role—if any—in public life. As the book's revelations ripple through the media, they shed light on Prince Andrew's personal struggles, his fractured relationship with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and the broader challenges facing the monarchy.
Andrew Lownie, a historian and author, spent four years researching Prince Andrew for his new book, submitting hundreds of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to government departments in an attempt to uncover details about the Duke's official work, particularly his time as a trade envoy in the 2000s. Speaking to Sky News, Lownie revealed that every single request was denied, with authorities citing reasons ranging from security and cost to data protection and the breadth of his inquiries. "They blame everything from security reasons, to cost and man hours, to data protection, to my questions being too broad," Lownie explained, expressing frustration at the level of secrecy he encountered. He argued, "If they're to earn our trust and support, they have to show that they are not hiding things – that they are behaving well."
The royal household and the royal archive are already exempt from FOI requests, making it exceedingly difficult for outsiders to scrutinize the activities of senior royals. Lownie believes greater openness is essential if the monarchy wishes to maintain long-term public support. "It's in the interest of the Windsors to be more open if they want to guarantee long-term backing from the public," he told Sky News, hoping his book might spark wider calls for transparency within the royal institution.
This renewed attention comes at a time when Prince Andrew's reputation is at an all-time low. According to a YouGov poll released on August 10, 2025, 87% of the British public now hold a negative view of the Duke of York, making him the least popular member of the royal family by a considerable margin. Only 5% of respondents expressed a favorable opinion. The poll also highlighted a generational divide in attitudes toward the monarchy: just 36% of 18- to 24-year-olds believe the monarchy is good for the country, compared to about 60% of Britons overall. Among those over 65, support remains strong at 81%, but this figure drops to 41% among the youngest adults.
Stories involving Prince Andrew continue to generate headlines and, according to Lownie, remain a persistent distraction for the royal family. The Duke's fall from grace has been compounded by his controversial association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—a relationship that, Lownie contends, has irreparably damaged Andrew's standing both publicly and privately. "I don't think he has any public future," Lownie stated in an interview with LBC. "I would say his private future is pretty limited too. I mean, he lives in Royal Lodge [on the Windsor Estate], he plays golf, watches TV, and presumably sees his grandchildren. He's living the life of a retired man."
One member of royal staff reportedly confided to Lownie that the loss of his royal and military titles has wounded Andrew more deeply than he lets on. "What most annoys him is his lack of a royal status. That's what really sort of gave him his whole sense of identity. And that's, you know, it's not being able to put on his uniforms and strut around and being self-important," Lownie recounted. The sense of isolation and diminished status appears to weigh heavily on the Duke, who has not commented publicly on the book or the ongoing allegations against him.
Amid this backdrop, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Andrew's ex-wife, made a notable public appearance in London on August 6, 2025. Attending an event with the Amazon Influencer Program to sign copies of her 2021 romance novel, Her Heart for a Compass, Ferguson donned navy blue shoes embroidered with the royal family motto: "Never complain, never explain." The choice of footwear—subtle yet pointed—was interpreted by some as a message about her approach to the media storm surrounding her former husband.
"Her Heart for a Compass was always meant to be a bridge between hearts, stories, and generations," Ferguson wrote on Instagram after the event. "Being able to sign copies and speak with these incredible creators brought me right back to why I wrote it in the first place. Thank you @amazoninfluencerprogram for the opportunity."
The timing of Ferguson's appearance coincided with the Daily Mail publishing excerpts from Lownie's forthcoming book, some of which delve into the couple's turbulent marriage. The book alleges that before their first wedding anniversary in 1987, Prince Andrew had sexual relations with more than a dozen women. Ferguson and Andrew married in July 1986 and divorced a decade later in May 1996. They share two daughters: Princess Beatrice, now 36, and Princess Eugenie, 35.
Further claims in the book paint a picture of a strained relationship, with one year during their marriage reportedly seeing Andrew spend only 42 days at home. Ferguson is said to have felt like a "shore widow," as recounted by Andrew's former driver. The driver claimed, "Sarah discovered Andrew wasn’t coming home on some of his leave. He was going elsewhere — and this just drove her crazy. She didn’t like the fact she was a shore widow, and to discover she was shore-widowed intentionally really hurt." Ferguson's former psychic healer is also quoted in the book, describing the Duchess's feelings: Andrew was "just not strong enough" and "never there when I need him."
Despite their separation, Ferguson and Andrew have remained close. In a June 2024 interview with Bella Magazine, Ferguson addressed speculation about a possible reconciliation: "I get asked that all the time. We are very happy as we are now, thank you!" Her words suggest a pragmatic acceptance of their relationship status and perhaps a mutual understanding of the unique pressures they both face.
The royal family has not commented on the publication of Lownie's book or the allegations within. Buckingham Palace, as is customary, has remained silent, and Prince Andrew's office did not respond to media inquiries. Ferguson's team also declined to comment when approached by Us Weekly.
As the House of Windsor grapples with declining popularity among younger generations and persistent controversies, the saga of Prince Andrew serves as a cautionary tale about the costs of secrecy and the challenges of maintaining public trust in a rapidly changing world. For now, the Duke of York's future—both public and private—remains uncertain, defined more by what has been lost than by any clear path forward.
