Prince Andrew gives up royal titles as Epstein allegations linger

Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he is giving up his royal title of the Duke of York, and other honours after renewed attention on his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, and with the agreement of his brother, King Charles III, Andrew said that “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.” Adding, “With His Majesty’s agreement, I 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. I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

The new announcement comes ahead of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, she claimed Epstein trafficked her and that she had sexual encounters with Andrew when she was 17, Giuffre sued him in 2021 and the case was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed amount. Andrew has denied her claims.

Andrew faced heavy criticism for a 2019 BBC interview, in which he tried to defend himself but appeared unsympathetic to Epstein’s alleged victims. Days later, he stepped down from royal duties.

Andrew will give up his Duke of York title and other honours but will remain a prince. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will no longer use the title Duchess of York. Their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will remain princesses.

Once a royal favourite and Falklands War veteran, Andrew has faced questions over his luxurious lifestyle since leaving public duties. He was also linked to a suspected Chinese spy earlier this year but ended contact once concerns were raised.