Just weeks after he stepped back from official royal duties following the fallout over his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew is back at work on behalf of his mother, The Queen.
The Duke of York appeared alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, his daughter Princess Beatrice and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, during a rare public work appearance in the UK this week.
The foursome visited the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, to celebrate Chinese New Year and to strengthen UK-China relations, in the wake of the global corona virus health crisis.
“My wife and I invited Duke of York and his family to our residence and celebrated Chinese New Year,” Mr Xiaoming wrote on his Twitter account, alongside a photo of Andrew, Fergie, Beatrice and Edoardo.
“Their enthusiasm for China and contribution to China-UK relation is highly appreciated.”
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, with Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice.
(Credit: Twitter)And in a further indication that Andrew’s reputation with the royal family is healing, the Chinese ambassador explained that the Duke had conveyed an important diplomatic message on behalf of the monarch.
“Her Majesty The Queen sent an encouraging message to President Xi and Chinese people: ‘At the critical time of fighting #coronavirus, I express my sincere sympathy for Chinese people, and pray for the speedy control and victory over the virus’. It was conveyed by Duke of York,” the ambassador tweeted.
Liu Xiaoming and Prince Andrew.
(Credit: Twitter)This isn’t the first time The Queen has extended an olive branch to Andrew following his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein saga.
In late January, Queen Elizabeth II stepped out with her son for the first time since the controversy surrounding his connection to the convicted sex offender reached fever pitch.
Her Majesty and her 59-year-old son attended church in Sandringham together, and were all smiles as they left the Sunday service.
Andrew was pictured front and centre with the Queen, speaking and smiling to people as they left church together.
The Queen and Prince Andrew pictured attending church together in January.
(Credit: Getty)Prince Andrew famously stepped back from his royal duties last November following his “train-wreck” interview with the BBC, where his justifications for his relations with Epstein were met with disgrace.
As a number of his charities and those close to the royal cut ties with him, the Prince issued a bombshell statement.
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said at the time.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
He added: “Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
WATCH BELOW: Fergie talks about her marriage to Prince Andrew. Story continues after video.
Since he stepped back, Andrew has very rarely been seen in public.
On Christmas day, he attended a separate, more private service to the one the rest of his family attended at Sandringham.
