LONDON (AP) — Prince Andrew has announced that he will relinquish his royal title of Duke of York and other honors, following renewed media scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew expressed that the ongoing accusations against him serve as a distraction from the work of King Charles III and the royal family.
The 65-year-old prince, who is the younger brother of King Charles III, stated, "With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me." He reiterated his denial of the allegations made against him.
Andrew's decision to step back from his royal title comes amid the impending publication of excerpts from a posthumous memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who previously accused Andrew of sexual misconduct when she was 17 years old. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein, and her memoir is set for release on Tuesday. Tragically, Giuffre passed away by suicide in April at the age of 41, and her memoir is said to detail alleged encounters with Prince Andrew.
In 2019, Andrew stepped down from public life due to his ties to Epstein, despite maintaining his innocence in the matter. His attempts to refute Giuffre’s allegations during a November 2019 BBC interview were criticized as misguided; Andrew claimed he could not sweat, thus disputing her account of a night out. His lack of empathy for Epstein's victims led to significant backlash, culminating in his withdrawal from public duties.
Giuffre had also filed a lawsuit against Andrew, which was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed amount. As part of the court filings, Andrew acknowledged Epstein as a sex trafficker and recognized Giuffre as "an established victim of abuse."
In addition to surrendering the title of Duke of York—bestowed upon him by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986—Prince Andrew will also give up other distinguished titles, such as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. However, he will retain his status as a prince, a title granted to him at birth.
Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, will also forfeit her title of Duchess of York. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will remain princesses. Despite their tumultuous marriage ending in 1996, Andrew and Ferguson maintain a close relationship and reside together in a large home near Windsor Castle. Ferguson has faced her own scandals linked to Epstein, notably with various charities severing ties with her after an email surfaced in which she referred to Epstein as a "supreme friend."
Once regarded as a cherished member of the royal family and celebrated for his military service during the 1982 Falklands War, Andrew’s reputation has drastically deteriorated due to his associations with Epstein and his lavish lifestyle. Following his exit from royal duties, concerns arose regarding how he funds his lifestyle and maintains his residence, Royal Lodge.
In early 2023, court documents surfaced linking Andrew to a suspected Chinese spy, Tengbo Yang, raising further questions about his financial dealings. Reports indicated that Andrew’s deteriorating public image led him to seek funding through meetings with Yang, who has since been barred from the U.K. Andrew asserts he never engaged in discussions regarding sensitive information and ceased communication with Yang once concerns were noted.
Recent developments have brought renewed scrutiny upon Prince Andrew, prompting him to distance himself from his royal titles and associations. The legacy of Epstein continues to shadow him, and the implications of these allegations extend beyond the prince himself, affecting his family and the monarchy at large.
