Prince Andrew's Redemption? FBI Clears Duke, but Royal Scandal Lingers

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Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has experienced a significant shift in his public and private standing in the past few days, following a major development in the long-running saga of his association with Jeffrey Epstein. According to People magazine and multiple news outlets, the FBI and US Department of Justice issued a memo in early July 2025 stating they found no so-called Epstein “client list” and uncovered no evidence implicating Andrew or other high-profile figures after an exhaustive review. This official conclusion ends more than five years of intense scrutiny and suspicions, during which Andrew was stripped of his royal roles and titles, settled a sexual assault case out of court with Virginia Giuffre, and largely disappeared from the public eye.

Sources close to Prince Andrew told The Daily Beast and The News that he is “relieved” by the closure of the FBI’s investigation and sees this as a chance to reset his life. In the immediate aftermath, the Duke has reportedly doubled down on his private social life, hosting and attending exclusive shooting events among Britain’s elite. King Charles has permitted Andrew to resume family hospitality at the Windsor shoot, a privilege within royal circles, though he remains excluded from official public-facing royal events. Friends of the Duke suggest he will leverage the end of the investigation to more confidently reenter certain royal traditions, though broader public acceptance remains elusive.

Business activities are also ramping up behind the scenes. The Daily Beast reports that Andrew has been working on business deals in the Middle East and Asia, quietly facilitating introductions between billionaire contacts and seeking ways to monetize his network—a pattern that echoes his previous involvement with start-up incubators and controversial deals. Now, with the FBI case closed, Andrew is reportedly considering business trips to America and further afield, motivated by a desire to restore his financial independence and lifestyle.

Family dynamics and royal summit invitations reflect his uncertain position. Closer magazine notes that Andrew has been invited to the upcoming Balmoral family summit for the first time in years, suggesting a slight softening among the Royals, even as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain excluded. Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson, his ex-wife who still lives with him at the Royal Lodge, has made public appearances at Wimbledon and the Royal Ascot but declined carriage processions—reportedly out of deference to Andrew’s feelings amid ongoing tensions with King Charles.

On social media, discussion of Andrew’s status has ticked up, with public reaction to his exoneration from the FBI case largely skeptical, if not outright hostile, across most platforms. Headlines in The Telegraph and major outlets stress that while he is officially “off the hook,” the court of public opinion and the shadow of past scandals continue to shape his future.

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