Prince Andrew relinquishes Duke of York title
Prince Andrew has announced that he will give up his titles, including the Duke of York, amidst increasing pressure over his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Calls have been made for Buckingham Palace to take action against him, leading to his decision to voluntarily relinquish his titles and membership of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain.
In a personal statement, Prince Andrew stated that he continues to deny the accusations against him and has decided, in consultation with the King, his immediate and extended family, to step back from his titles and honors. He emphasized his commitment to prioritizing his duty to his family and country, reiterating his denial of the allegations made against him.
The decision to stop using his titles was made in coordination with Prince William and the King. While he will retain his status as a prince, he will no longer hold the title of Duke of York, which was bestowed upon him by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. Prince Andrew had already withdrawn from public duties and lost the use of his HRH title, with his role within the royal family now further diminished.
His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will now be known without her Duchess of York title, but their daughters will retain their princess titles. The prince will continue to reside at his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, under a private lease until 2078.
Prince Andrew has been embroiled in various scandals in recent years, including a settled court case with Virginia Giuffre, financial inquiries, and alleged connections with a Chinese spy. Buckingham Palace has expressed growing frustration over the ongoing controversies surrounding the prince.
A posthumous memoir by Ms. Giuffre, who passed away earlier this year, is set to be published next week. The memoir is expected to shed further light on Prince Andrew's involvement with her and Epstein, with Ms. Giuffre alleging instances of sexual exploitation by Epstein and his wealthy associates, including encounters with the prince in London and the US Virgin Islands.
Following the announcement of Prince Andrew giving up his titles, Ms. Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, expressed mixed emotions, stating that his late sister would be proud of the development. He emphasized the significance of survivors speaking out and seeking acknowledgment and justice, welcoming further accountability for those implicated in such cases.