Prince Andrew has retreated further away from the public eye over the last few months after being involved in another scandal.
The Duke of York, who stepped down from life as a senior working royal in 2019, made headlines again just weeks before Christmas when it was confirmed he had previously been friends with Chinese businessman and suspected spy Yang Tengbo.
Although Tengbo denied claims he was a spy, with the prince having insisted he had ceased all contact with him once suspicions were first raised, their once close friendship turned heads, with the duke, 64, pulling out of last year’s Royal Family Christmas plans at Sandringham as a result.
Since then, Andrew has been seen outside his Royal Lodge home in Windsor very few times, with the duke retreating from royal life more than ever before.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror that she believes Andrew is now focused on the job of being a “doting grandad”, especially following the birth of his daughter Princess Beatrice’s second daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi last week.
Jennie told The Mirror: “I think family has become ever more important for the beleaguered Prince Andrew, and perhaps one of his main roles in life these days is to be a doting grandad.
“And I’m sure that Fergie will be just as besotted as little Athena’s parents clearly are.
“I think it’s a rather lovely name and it’s about time that the Royal family moved away from strictly traditional names.
“These days everyone seems to be coming up with unusual names – though I’m sure in a month or two there will be Athenas popping up everywhere.”
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