Shamed Andrew is immersing himself in ‘world of video games’ amid boredom

May 10, 2026 - 09:40

The disgraced former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has reportedly found a new pastime to fill his days: video games. Sources close to the embattled royal say he has been immersing himself in a "world of video games" as he prepares for a life of quiet exile, largely away from public duties and royal engagements.

Having spent much of his time at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, and more recently at his Norfolk residence, the prince is said to be struggling with boredom. Stripped of his military titles and patronages, and facing ongoing fallout from his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew has been largely sidelined from official royal life.

According to insiders, the former royal has become an avid gamer, spending hours in front of screens playing strategy and adventure titles. The hobby is seen as a way to pass the long, unstructured hours that now define his days. Friends describe it as an escape from the relentless pressure and public scrutiny that have followed him since his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019.

While some might see the gaming habit as a harmless distraction, others view it as a telling sign of a man cut off from his former life. The Duke, who once enjoyed a prominent role in the monarchy and represented the Queen abroad, now finds himself confined to a small circle of trusted friends and family. His focus on video games, rather than charitable work or public service, underscores the dramatic fall from grace that has left him with little to do but wait out his exile.