In a significant development within the British royal family, Prince Andrew has announced his decision to relinquish his royal title as the Duke of York and other associated honors. This decision comes in the wake of renewed public scrutiny over his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement was made in a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, where Prince Andrew emphasized that the ongoing allegations against him were becoming a distraction from the duties of King Charles III and the royal family at large.
Prince Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, particularly in relation to the accusations made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and had sexual encounters with the prince when she was 17. Giuffre, who tragically passed away by suicide in April at the age of 41, detailed these allegations in a posthumous memoir set to be published soon. In 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew, which was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. As part of the settlement, Prince Andrew acknowledged Epstein’s role as a sex trafficker and recognized Giuffre as a victim of abuse.
This is not the first time Prince Andrew has faced public backlash over his ties to Epstein. In a widely criticized BBC interview in November 2019, his attempts to refute Giuffre’s claims were met with skepticism and further damaged his reputation. Following the interview, he stepped down from his royal duties. Now, with the release of Giuffre’s memoir reigniting public interest in the case, Prince Andrew has taken the additional step of giving up his titles, including Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. However, he will retain his status as a prince, a title he has held since birth.