LONDON: Prince Andrew has announced that he will relinquish his titles, including Duke of York, according to a personal statement released on Friday.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and increasing public calls for Buckingham Palace to take action. Andrew’s move appears to be voluntary, involving the surrender of his titles and his membership in the Order of the Garter — Britain’s oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry.
In his statement, the prince reiterated that he “vigorously denies the accusations” against him.
“After discussions with the King and my immediate and extended family, we have agreed that the ongoing allegations surrounding me distract from His Majesty’s work and that of the Royal Family,” he said.
“I have always placed my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision to step back from public life five years ago. With His Majesty’s agreement, I now believe it is right to go further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours bestowed upon me. As I have said before, I vigorously deny the accusations.”
The decision was made in consultation with King Charles III and Prince William, the Prince of Wales. While Andrew will remain a prince, he will no longer hold the title of Duke of York — a title granted to him by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Andrew had already stepped down as a working royal and lost the use of his HRH (His Royal Highness) designation, no longer attending official royal functions. This latest step further reduces his public and ceremonial role.
Over recent years, the prince has faced multiple controversies, including a settlement in a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, scrutiny over his financial dealings, and alleged connections with a suspected Chinese spy.
As a result of this latest development, his former wife will now simply be known as Sarah Ferguson, dropping the title Duchess of York, though their daughters will retain their princess titles.
Andrew is expected to continue living at his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, which he leases privately until 2078.
He has long faced criticism over his links to Epstein, including questions about when he truly ended contact with the disgraced financier. Although in his widely criticized 2019 BBC Newsnight interview he claimed to have cut ties after their meeting in New York in December 2010, later-revealed emails from February 2011 suggested otherwise — one message read: “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!”
Reports indicate growing frustration within Buckingham Palace over the lingering scandals surrounding the prince, which have continued to overshadow the Royal Family’s public image.
