The Duke of York has been pictured in the saddle a day after he made a rare appearance at the annual Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The prince was pictured riding a horse near his home in Royal Lodge after he joined the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family for the celebration.

Prince Andrew's trip out comes after a leading body language expert said he showed "cocky arrogance" as he joined his elder brother for the service. Judi James told the Mirror: "Prince Andrew's body language made this look like his debutante's coming out ball as he performed a kind royal quick-step to appear back in the role of second son to the late Queen."

Ms James continued: "Andrew's body language signals were all about a kind of cocky arrogance here."

Prince Andrew was joined by his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York for the service, with Judi adding: "While his ex wife Fergie displayed newly-found signals of royal confidence, waving to the crowds, chatting and laughing in her signature animated way and striding forward to greet and chat with the clergy, Andrew waited until the rest of the Firm were in place before suddenly appearing from the gloom of the Chapel doorway where he must have been hiding before making his dramatic entrance.

"With his jacket undone he positioned himself in the gap in the middle of the group where he stood with his legs splayed in a pose of confidence. He crossed one arm over his belly and his free hand was used to show a stabbing pointing index finger as he chatted with a rather awkward-looking Commander Tim.

"He evaporated back into the gloom of the porch once Charles arrived but that also gave him the option of walking into the chapel close behind the King and Queen, perhaps with Fergie who seemed to have nipped to stand behind him."

While he has not been seen officially alongside the Royal Family for several months, his appearance was not entirely unexpected as the Easter Mattins service is considered a private family event rather than an official engagement.

In December, Andrew and Sarah bowed out of joining the rest of the Firm for the traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham.

He later pulled out of the annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, which brings together the whole extended family for a private celebration. This move was telling, as his absence from a private family event behind Palace walls appeared to seal his fate - that he would not be welcome at any future royal gatherings.

His attendance was permitted even after his disastrous Newsnight interview in November 2019, which focused on his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and led to his removal as a working royal. He no longer holds any public role or patronage and is unable to use his HRH title.