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Prince Andrew is “dipping his toe” back into royal life — even as US officials are furious at his failure to cooperate with the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, according to a report Tuesday.
The disgraced Duke of York, 60, was photographed Monday at a memorial service for a senior courtier — with friends telling the Sun he was there with the blessing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“He was dipping his toe in the water by going to the service but plans to go to more engagements soon,” one of Andrew’s friends told the UK paper.
“He doesn’t see why he shouldn’t return to royal duties,” the pal added, insisting Andrew is “innocent” of any misdoings connected to his perverted pal.
“He still has a lot to offer,” the friend told the paper of Andrew, who was dumped from royal duties last year following his disastrous attempts to justify his ties to Epstein once the moneyman was convicted of sex offenses.
Buckingham Palace told the Sun that Andrew went to Monday’s memorial for Sir Malcolm Ross in a “personal” capacity.
The Queen — who was with the rest of the royals at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey — was officially represented at the memorial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor by Sir Andrew Ford, a retired Army officer, the Daily Mail said.
“Prince Andrew looked a bit sheepish,” a member of the congregation told the UK paper. “Many were surprised he was there.”
His appearance came on the same day that US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman complained that Andrew had “completely shut the door on voluntary cooperation” with the FBI probe into potential Epstein co-conspirators.
“Our office is considering its options,” he said Monday of the royal, who has reportedly hired the UK’s “most formidable” extradition lawyer.
Andrew has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein, 66, who committed suicide in his Manhattan lockup last August.
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