Prince Andrew announced today that he will relinquish his remaining royal titles, including Duke of York and the Order of the Garter, following renewed scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision marks the most significant public consequence yet for the embattled royal in a years-long scandal that has cast a shadow over the British monarchy.
In a statement released through Buckingham Palace, the prince said: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.” The announcement comes at a critical moment for King Charles III, who has faced mounting pressure to distance the royal institution from his younger brother’s controversies.
Prince Andrew added that he has “decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first,” while maintaining that he will “stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.” He concluded by stating: “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. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
The prince stepped back from public duties in 2019 after a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. The interview, which addressed allegations of sexual assault against him, led Queen Elizabeth II to strip Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages in January 2022.
Andrew later paid a substantial sum to settle a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that the prince sexually abused her when she was 17 years old. Andrew has repeatedly denied these allegations.
The timing of this announcement is particularly significant. A posthumous memoir from Virginia Giuffre is set to be released on October 21, which is expected to contain additional allegations about the prince’s relationship with the disgraced financier. Recent court documents revealed emails between Prince Andrew and Epstein, including one sent in 2011 stating: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.”
The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is not the only controversy facing Prince Andrew. He has also been implicated in an alleged Chinese espionage case after developing close ties with a man barred from the UK on national security grounds. These combined scandals have left the prince increasingly isolated from the royal family, with few public appearances alongside other senior royals since his fall from grace.
While Prince Andrew will no longer use the Duke of York title, he will retain his status as a prince, a designation he received at birth as the son of Queen Elizabeth II. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also relinquish her Duchess of York title, marking a complete break from the couple’s former royal standing.
The decision represents a historic moment for the British monarchy. The relinquishment follows years of growing public outcry and represents the most dramatic step taken by the royal family to address the ongoing scandal. Royal watchers suggest that King Charles, who has worked to modernize and streamline the monarchy since ascending to the throne, likely played a significant role in encouraging his brother to take this action.
