Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles following talk with King.
Prince Andrew is relinquishing his titles, including the Duke of York, after discussions with the King.
In a statement, Prince Andrew mentioned that ongoing accusations against him were diverting attention from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
While he will retain his title as a prince, Prince Andrew will no longer hold the title of Duke of York, which he received from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. He will also give up his membership in the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain.
The decision follows mounting pressure on Prince Andrew due to his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In his statement, he vehemently denied the allegations against him.
His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer be referred to as the Duchess of York. However, their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will continue to hold the title of princess.
Virginia Giuffre's brother, who spoke to BBC Newsnight, described the news as a positive development for survivors of Epstein. Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew of sexual misconduct, passed away earlier this year.
Prince Andrew's decision was welcomed by commentators, with royal expert Jennie Bond noting that significant pressure had been exerted on him to take this step.
Contemporary historian Anthony Seldon highlighted the historical significance of Prince Andrew relinquishing his titles, emphasizing that such actions are rare within the Royal Family.
Despite stepping down from his titles, Prince Andrew will remain a prince by birthright and will retain his position in the line of succession. However, as a non-working royal, his roles are considered inactive.
The decision to give up his titles was portrayed as Prince Andrew's choice, although observers suggest it was likely influenced by the Palace amid ongoing controversies surrounding him.
The announcement comes ahead of the release of Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir, which is expected to shed further light on her allegations against Prince Andrew and others involved with Epstein.