London — Prince Andrew will relinquish the use of his royal titles, including Duke of York, after discussing the matter with King Charles.
“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,” Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
The change will take effect immediately, a royal source confirmed.
Background and public scrutiny
Prince Andrew has faced mounting pressure over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his links to an alleged Chinese spy. The prince has consistently denied the accusations.
He stepped down from public life in 2019 following a widely criticized BBC interview discussing his ties to Epstein.
Statement on titles
“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,” Andrew said on Friday.
Other members of the royal family, including William, Prince of Wales, were consulted during the discussions.
Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, will now be known as “Sarah Ferguson.” The titles of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unchanged. He will no longer attend royal Christmas celebrations but will continue living at the Royal Lodge in Windsor under a private tenancy agreement. He retains his title as “prince” because he is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Legal and controversial matters
Andrew’s troubles began with a 2015 sexual abuse lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre, who alleged Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with his friends, including Prince Andrew, while she was underage. Andrew denied these claims.
In 2022, Andrew and Giuffre reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement. He was also stripped of military titles and several charity positions amid the controversy.
Additionally, court documents revealed Andrew’s relationship with Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy, who reportedly acted on Andrew’s behalf during business meetings with potential Chinese investors. Yang denied wrongdoing, but a 2024 tribunal barred him from the UK.
About the Author
