Prince Andrew has been pictured on his first official foreign engagement amid continued scrutiny over his controversial relationship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein .
The Duke of York, 59, has flown to Belgium to take part in the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Bruges.
Pictures show the royal alongside troops in the town, which in the northwest of the country and near the English Channel.
Prince Andrew has come under scrutiny recently for his relationship with Epstein, who was found dead on August 10 in his prison cell in New York, where he was being held on sex trafficking charges.
Some of his public engagements in Northern Ireland were cancelled amid the scandal this week.
Since Epstein’s death, there have been a number of reports about his relationship with the Duke, including past allegations the pair travelled together on the financier’s private jet with teenager Virginia Roberts, now known as Mrs Giuffre.
Andrew has continued to protest his innocence in any wrongdoing, with Buckingham Palace being forced to release an extraordinary five-point response to continued speculation last month.
The controversial Prince Laurent of Belgium, the younger brother of King Philippe, is also thought to be in attendance today.
The Prince came under fire for taking an inappropriately timed phone call in the middle of the national day anthem in July this year.
While wearing his naval uniform and seated on a golden throne, he answered his phone, much to the visible disapproval of his wife.
In response to questions following Mr Epstein's arrest in 2019, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: "The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged crimes.
"His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent."
Last Friday Andrew emerged in public on official business as spent the day at the Royal Dartmouth Regatta in Devon.
The duke is a patron of the centre and looked relaxed as he smiled broadly and spoke to friends during the event.
He had spent the following weeks on holiday in Spain with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, with rumours continuing to swirl that they have recently rekindled their romance.
