Prince Andrew has agreed to give up his Duke of York title and royal honors amid renewed public scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement released through Buckingham Palace, the King’s younger brother said the decision came “after discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family,” adding that “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”
Andrew said he will “no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” though he continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he stated.
The Duke—now stepping away from that name—had already withdrawn from public duties in 2019 following his disastrous BBC interview defending his relationship with Epstein. He later surrendered his military titles and royal patronages in early 2022 after a U.S. judge refused to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most high-profile accusers.
Although Andrew settled the case out of court for an undisclosed sum, Giuffre alleged that he sexually abused her when she was 17 years old—a claim he has consistently denied.
The latest development marks yet another dramatic fall from grace for the once-popular royal, who was once dubbed “the Queen’s favorite son.” With his title now gone, it remains unclear what future role, if any, Andrew will play within the royal fold as the monarchy continues to distance itself from the scandal that has haunted him for years.
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