The embattled Duke of York handed in his resignation to the Trust, which accepted it 24 hours after a raft of other organisations cut ties with the royal. In a statement the Trust said: “The Board of The Outward Bound Trust has today accepted the resignation as Patron of HRH the Duke of York following his announcement yesterday that he will be withdrawing from public duties for the unforeseeable future.” The statement added: “The Board of The Outward Bound Trust thanks HRH The Duke of York for his support over many years.”

Today, the 59-year-old was photographed leaving his house for the first time since it was announced he would be stepping back from royal duties.

Prince Andrew, was seen smiling as he was driving away from the Royal Lodge.

He was alone in the car and waved to people standing outside his Windsor residence.

Shortly after he left, members of his security team distributed tea, coffee and Waitrose festive biscuits to photographers waiting outside.

Prince Andrew was later spotted exiting his vehicle in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York yesterday announced he was stepping back from public life, in a move approved by Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement released by the Royal Family, Prince Andrew said: “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.

“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

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“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.

“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

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Earlier today Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Andrew will continue to work on his entrepreneurship scheme, Pitch@Palace, because it is a private initiative.

However a growing number of donors and supporters have either dropped their sponsorship or announced they were reviewing their position on the scheme.

Speaking about the future of Pitch@Palace, one sponsor told the Telegraph: “It is the sponsors’ view that the programme itself can survive with a new patron, but only with a new patron.”

Prince Andrew gave a now-notorious interview to BBC’s Newsnight on Saturday night.

Following the interview, Prince Andrew was accused of failing to publicly express sympathy for the victims of Epstein.

He also said he didn’t regret his relationship with Epstein because it opened up new opportunities for him.

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