PRINCE Andrew made a surprise return to public life at the King’s Easter church service yesterday — with experts predicting he will soon be back in the fold as a working royal.
The Duke of York, 65, breezed in laughing and joking ahead of the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, accompanied by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Walestook their children to church 120 miles away at Sandringham.
Yesterday was the first time that Andrew had appeared in public since the Easter church service last year.
He chatted happily with family members in the sunshine and greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Experts believe it significant it comes just weeks after his sex accuser Virginia Giuffre bizarrely claimed to be dying in Australia.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said it is now “only a matter of time” before he fully welcomed back into the fold.
He said Charles still loves his brother “and he doesn’t want him to be completely outcast”.
He added: “It was very much a show of family unity.
“He’s not totally out in the cold, but I think it’s too early to say it’s any kind of comeback for him.”
He said Andrew is desperate to return and likely feels Ms Giuffre’s latest claims“slightly vindicates him”.
Mr Dampier believes Kate and William’s decision to stay away was not linked to Andrew.
But he went on: “It is absolutely true to say that William is one of the driving forces behind making sure there’s no future for the Duke of York.
“He doesn’t believe he can make a comeback, and there is, I’m told, quite a lot of friction between them. It made it a lot easier, I think, for Andrew that William wasn’t there.”
Andrew and Sarah came by car with Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
They then greeted Charles and Camilla after they arrived in their State Bentley. The monarchs then spoke to the Dean of Windsor, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, before waving to crowds.
Other royals arrived on foot led by Prince Edward and wife Sophie and their son James, Earl of Wessex.
Andrew and Sarah’s daughter Princess Eugenie walked beside her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Her sister Princess Eugenie, who gave birth prematurely in January, also joined them with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Andrew, who was stripped of royal roles over his links to billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was banned from Christmas with the royals after becoming embroiled in a scandal with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
Claire Myers-Lamptey, who was there yesterday with her son, said: “It was really interesting to see Fergie walk in with the Duke of York. That is quite a bold statement.”
The King wished onlookers “a very happy Easter” as he left while Camilla thanked a young girl for a posy.
Moments later, the other royals emerged, with Princess Anne appearing to use a large umbrella as a walking aide.
The Duke and Duchess of York were the last to leave, with Fergie smiling and waving to the cameras before leaving arm in arm with Sophie.
Andrew did not respond when onlookers wished him a happy Easter.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “By allowing him back into the fold, Charles is sending an incredibly strong message of, ‘He’s my brother, he’s innocent of what he’s been accused of and I’m sticking by him’.
“If he truly believed Andrew was this sort of depraved person which he’s made out to be, there’s no way the King would be seen with him in public.
“I think it’s no coincidence Andrew’s re-emergence comes weeks after Virginia Giuffre’s drama surrounding her minor car crash in Australia.
“This may prove to be an indication of a more harmonious and unified Royal Family who are putting previous rifts and tensions behind them.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, by their children George, Charlotte and Louis, and Kate’s parents Carole and Michael.
DISGRACE OVER 15YRS FOR PRINCE
DEC 2010: Andrew visits Jeffrey Epstein in New York after paedo is freed from jail.
JUL 2011: Quits as trade envoy after Epstein backlash. Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson admits accepting money from Epstein.
APR 2015: Claims emerge that Andrew had sex with Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.
AUG 2019: Epstein is found dead in his jail cell after being charged with sex trafficking.
NOV 2019: Andrew steps back from public duties after disastrous Newsnight interview.
XMAS 2019: Low profile at 9am private church service in Sandringham with Charles.
MAY 2020: Steps down from all public roles permanently.
JAN 2022: US judge rejects bid to throw out Ms Giuffre’s civil lawsuit. The late Queen strips Andrew of military affiliations and royal patronages.
FEB 2022: He agrees to make a “substantial donation” to charity and accepts Ms Giuffre “suffered as an established victim of abuse”.
MAR 2024: Appears at royals’ Easter service in Windsor.
DEC 2024: His “close confidante” Yang Tengbo is accused of being a Chinese spy. Andrew does not join family at Sandringham for Christmas.
JAN 2025: It emerges Andrew was in contact with Epstein in 2011, despite claiming he cut ties in 2010.
APR 2025: Arrives grinning at royals’ Easter service.