Prince Andrew announced his decision on Friday to relinquish his title as Duke of York amidst ongoing criticism surrounding his conduct and associations with the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move was motivated by a desire to minimize distractions from the royal duties of his brother, King Charles, and the broader activities of the British Royal Family.
Stating his commitment to prioritizing his family and country, Prince Andrew affirmed his choice to withdraw from public life five years ago. With the King’s consent, he has now opted to renounce his titles and honors. Despite vehemently refuting the accusations against him, Prince Andrew concluded that stepping back further was necessary following consultations with senior royals.
Remaining a prince and eighth in line to the throne as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth, Andrew’s decision was met with approval by the King, according to a royal insider. The move comes amid longstanding controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, notably highlighted by a 2022 settlement with Virginia Giuffre over allegations of sexual abuse, which resurfaced with the impending release of her memoir.
Intent on distancing himself from ongoing scandals, Prince Andrew will forego royal engagements at Sandringham and will no longer use the title “His Royal Highness.” While his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, remain unaffected, his former wife Sarah Ferguson will also no longer hold the title of Duchess of York.
In addition to his ties to Epstein, Prince Andrew’s business dealings have faced scrutiny, with revelations of connections to a Chinese businessman deemed a national security risk. The decision to relinquish his title marks a significant departure for the British Royal Family, echoing previous instances of royal titles being revoked over a century ago.
The Royal Family has witnessed a reduction in its active members in recent years, with Prince Harry and Meghan also stepping back from official duties. Historians view Prince Andrew’s title relinquishment as a noteworthy historical development, symbolizing a substantial shift within the monarchy’s traditional structures.