Prince Andrew Faces New Royal Snub as Princess Anne Hosts Exclusive School Dinner Without Him
Prince Andrew excluded from Windsor Castle dinner hosted by Princess Anne for Gordonstoun School. The royal snub marks another setback for the Duke of York amid ongoing controversy.
A Fresh Blow for the Duke of York Amid Ongoing Royal Setbacks
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is once again facing public disappointment—this time from a deeply personal place. Just days after making a rare appearance alongside the royal family during their Easter Sunday walk, the embattled royal was noticeably absent from a high-profile event at Windsor Castle.
Princess Anne Hosts Private Dinner Honoring Gordonstoun School
Last Thursday, Princess Anne hosted an exclusive dinner at Windsor Castle in her capacity as Warden of Gordonstoun School, the prestigious Scottish boarding school once attended by several members of the royal family, including Prince Andrew, King Charles, and Prince Edward.
Despite his strong ties to the school and living just miles away on the Windsor estate, Andrew was not invited to the intimate event. A friend close to the Duke told the Daily Mail:
“I’m sure the Duke would have loved to have attended the dinner if he had been invited.”
The Significance of Gordonstoun in Royal Tradition
Gordonstoun School, located near Elgin in Moray, Scotland, has long been a cornerstone of royal education. Known for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on outdoor life, the school has shaped generations of royal men. Although Princess Anne did not attend Gordonstoun—since the institution only became co-educational in 1972—she now plays a prominent leadership role as Warden.
“In her role as Warden for Gordonstoun, Her Royal Highness held an intimate evening dinner attended by a small number of guests,” a school spokesperson confirmed.
The school also counts celebrity children such as Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie) and Jason Connery (son of Sean Connery) among its notable alumni.
A Personal Setback for Prince Andrew
The exclusion from the dinner is seen by many royal watchers as a painful personal setback for Prince Andrew, who has kept a low profile in recent years following his highly publicized controversies and legal troubles.
Given his long-standing relationship with Gordonstoun, the lack of an invitation has raised eyebrows among insiders and the public alike. The decision not to include him suggests a continued distancing of Prince Andrew from certain royal duties and engagements.
Gordonstoun Faces Its Own Challenges
This development also comes as Gordonstoun School navigates a new wave of financial uncertainty. The British government recently ended VAT exemptions for private schools, placing institutions like Gordonstoun under additional fiscal pressure.
Despite this, the school continues to hold elite status among Britain’s top private institutions, maintaining close relationships with the royal family—albeit now, seemingly, with a few notable exclusions.
