Prince Andrew's 1985 Baltimore Visit Recalled Amid Recent Arrest

The younger brother of King Charles III visited the city as a 25-year-old naval officer before his fall from grace.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The recent arrest of Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, on suspicion of misconduct in public office and matters related to the Epstein files, has brought to mind his visit to Baltimore as a young man in 1985. During that visit, the then-25-year-old prince and 260 other crewmen from the British warship HMS Brazen were feted royally, including at a salon hosted by local theater figure Hope Quackenbush.

Why it matters

Prince Andrew's visit to Baltimore in 1985, before his fall from grace, provides a glimpse into the royal's life before the scandals that have since engulfed him. The contrast between his warm welcome in Baltimore and his recent arrest highlights the dramatic change in his public standing over the past decades.

The details

During his 1985 visit, Prince Andrew met with local businessman and Laurel Racetrack owner John D. Schapiro, who offered the prince a morning ride at his Monkton farm and the loan of a horse and riding clothes. When Schapiro mentioned the famous London shop where he purchased the clothes, the prince remarked with a smile, "Hmm, I wish I had the money to shop there."

  • Prince Andrew visited Baltimore in May 1985, when he was 25 years old.
  • Prince Andrew was recently arrested in the U.K. on suspicion of misconduct in public office and matters related to the Epstein files.

The players

Prince Andrew

The younger brother of King Charles III, who was arrested in the U.K. on suspicion of misconduct in public office and matters related to the Epstein files.

Hope Quackenbush

A local theater figure in Baltimore who hosted a salon in honor of Prince Andrew during his 1985 visit.

John D. Schapiro

A businessman and Laurel Racetrack owner in Baltimore who offered Prince Andrew a morning ride at his Monkton farm and the loan of a horse and riding clothes during the prince's 1985 visit.

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What they’re saying

“Hmm, I wish I had the money to shop there.”

— Prince Andrew (Baltimore Sun)

The takeaway

Prince Andrew's 1985 visit to Baltimore, before the scandals that have since engulfed him, provides a glimpse into a time when the royal was still widely respected. The contrast between his warm welcome in Baltimore and his recent arrest highlights the dramatic change in his public standing, raising questions about the factors that led to his fall from grace.