Queen Elizabeth II had four children, and her son is Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Born on 19 February 1960, he is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. As the Queen’s second son, he holds a prominent place in the family and represents a generation of senior working royals, despite stepping back from public duties in recent years. This guide explains who he is, how his position relates to his mother’s legacy, and how he fits into the current line of succession.
Name and title
Prince Andrew is the formal name of the Queen’s son, and he holds the courtesy title Duke of York. This Dukedom is a peerage title traditionally granted to the second son of the monarch, which is why he is commonly referred to as the Duke of York or informally as Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
Birth and early life
Prince Andrew was born on 19 February 1960 at Buckingham Palace in London. He was the first child born to a reigning British monarch since Princess Anne in 1950 and the first son born to a reigning queen in over 300 years. His birth was marked by a 21-gun salute at Hyde Park and was widely celebrated across the Commonwealth. He was baptised on 8 April 1960 in the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Windsor Park, with family members and close friends serving as his godparents.
Line of succession context
As the Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew was originally positioned fourth in line to the throne at birth, after his older sister, the future Queen Elizabeth II, his older brother Charles, and his mother. Succession rules at the time followed male-preference cognatic primogeniture, placing sons ahead of daughters. After the birth of his niece Princess Beatrice in 1988 and nephew Prince William in 1982, his place in the line shifted. Succession reforms in 2013 removed male preference, but his position remains well below the first generation of children born after 1952. This illustrates how changes in royal protocol can reshape the perceived roles of the sovereign’s offspring over time.
Succession snapshot at key moments
| Period | Heir order while Prince Andrew was part of the line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1960–1982 | Fourth in line: after Elizabeth (future Queen), Charles, and Philip | Only son; older sister Anne was ahead of him under then-rules |
| 1982–1988 | Fifth in line: after Elizabeth, Charles, William, and Anne | Prince William’s birth moved him further back |
| 1988–2013 | Seventh in line: after Elizabeth, Charles, William, Harry, Anne, and Peter | Multiple births and marriages extended the line |
| 2013–present | Dropped further by new succession rules, now outside the top ranks as duties reduced | Succession now follows absolute primogeniture among early generations |
Marriage and children
Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson on 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey in a large ceremonial wedding. The marriage produced two daughters: Princess Beatrice of York, born 8 August 1988, and Princess Eugenie of York, born 23 March 1990. The couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, though they have maintained a cooperative co-parenting arrangement for their children. He has not remarried publicly.
Public roles and recent status
Throughout his early career, Prince Andrew represented the Crown at national and international events, including trade missions and military commemorations. In recent years, he stepped back from public duties amid personal controversies and legal matters, and he no longer carries out official engagements on behalf of the Crown. Despite this, he remains a member of the Royal Family, and his title and style remain intact. This illustrates the distinction between public roles and legal family status, which often causes confusion.
Quick comparison: The Queen’s four children
- Prince Charles (born 1948): First child, heir and later King.
- Princess Anne (born 1950): First daughter, only sister to become mother before her brother had children.
- Prince Andrew (born 1960): Second son, Duke of York, stepped back from public duties.
- Prince Edward (born 1964): Youngest child, Earl of Wessex.
Frequently asked questions
Below are concise answers to common questions to clarify enduring facts about his role and lineage.
- What is his relationship to Queen Elizabeth II? He is her second child and only son, making him her direct heir by birth within her generation.
- Is he still in the line of succession? Yes, he remains in the line of succession, though he is currently far down the list and does not carry out royal duties.
- What is his title and style? His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
- Does he represent the Queen publicly now? No, he has not carried out official engagements on behalf of the Crown in recent years.
- How does this compare to other royal siblings’ children? His position reflects traditional birth order, whereas other cousins and nieces entered the line through different branches and succession reforms.
Why this matters in context
Understanding Prince Andrew’s place in the family helps explain how royal succession and familial roles have evolved. While his public duties have changed, his relationship as the Queen’s son remains a fixed point in the monarchy’s structure. This context is useful for interpreting contemporary events involving senior members of the Royal Family and for long-term tracking of how the institution adapts across generations.
Terms such as line of succession, Duke of York, and senior working royal are useful for readers seeking clarity on enduring structures rather than temporary headlines. This explanation focuses on verifiable roles, titles, and documented events to provide a durable reference.