Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spotted on horseback for first time since Sandringham exile

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been pictured riding around the Sandringham estate for the first time since his royal exile. 

The disgraced former Duke of York, who has been forced to retreat from public life over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, went out for an hour-long ride near his Norfolk residence. 

Andrew, 66, had reportedly been "banned" from horseback riding, but was seen back in the saddle in pictures published by The Sun. 

The father of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie wore a blue shirt and navy riding trousers and boots, as well as a protective helmet. 

According to the paper, Andrew has been left "bored rigid" after moving to his new home, the five-bedroom farmhouse Marsh Farm, after being exiled from Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this year. 

Andrew makes first public outing since royal exile

It comes just weeks after Andrew appeared at a public event for the first time since his exile, accompanying his younger brother Prince Edward to the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials. 

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He was reportedly seen driving his Land Rover Defender away from the annual event and was pictured in a light blue shirt with a pair of sunglasses, accompanied by a man with a dog, likely his security. 

Edward, 62, looked relaxed in a green polo shirt and white chinos, with his arms crossed in photographs, while Sophie, 61, looked summery in a floral dress.  

The couple was likely staying at King Charles's Wood Farm residence on the Sandringham Estate, where they often reside during the holidays.

What is happening in the investigation into Andrew?

Andrew was arrested in February by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was held in custody on his 66th birthday. 

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The late Queen's second son was previously stripped of his prince title and dukedom by his older brother, King Charles, over his links to Epstein. 

The investigation is ongoing, and it's understood to have widened to include potential sex crimes in recent months. 

Earlier this week, MPs were told that Andrew's lease of Royal Lodge and his ability to sublet the estate’s properties offered "best value" for money when the arrangements were first put in place. 

The former Duke received an undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate while paying a peppercorn rent for more than two decades, a National Audit Office investigation revealed last month.