Prince Andrew Renounces Duke of York Title and Royal Honours Amidst Ongoing Controversy

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, Prince Andrew announced, “After discussions with The King and my immediate and extended family, we’ve concluded that the ongoing allegations against me detract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”

Andrew continued, “I have decided, as I have always prioritized, to place my duty to my family and country above all. I stand by my decision made five years ago to step back from public life.”

“With the agreement of His Majesty, we believe it’s necessary for me to take an additional step. Consequently, I will no longer be using my title or the honors that have been bestowed upon me,” he added.

He reiterated, “As I have stated before, I firmly deny the accusations against me.”

This decision was reached in collaboration not only with The King but also with the Prince of Wales and other members of the broader royal family.

King Charles is believed to be glad about his 65-year-old brother’s decision.

Prince Andrew’s other titles that have been relinquished include his knighthoods – as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and a knight of the Order of the Garter.

It’s understood the changes will impact Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, who will continue to be known in a personal and professional capacity as Sarah Ferguson.

However, it’s not expected to have any impact on the couple’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Relinquishing his dukedom won’t impact Andrew’s living arrangements, with the prince to remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

While the royal has given up all of his titles and honours voluntarily, there’s one that can’t be taken away from him, and that is the title of prince.

Once second in line for the British throne, Andrew was born in 1960 as a son of a monarch and as per the Letters Patent issued in 1917 by George V, was born a prince.

Prince Andrew first stepped back from his royal duties in 2019 following his car crash Newsnight interview about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Giuffre was a victim of Epstein’s who said she was sex-trafficked by the businessman.

She claims in her book to have had sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions, saying the royal thought it was his “birthright”. Prince Andrew has denied all allegations made by Giuffre.

After his Newsnight interview, Andrew was sued by Giuffre. Andrew has always denied Giuffre’s allegations about him but settled the matter out of court in February 2022, reportedly for many millions of dollars.

The court case resulted in Andrew being stripped of remaining military titles, charity patronages and the title of His Royal Highness. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the monarch at the time.

Andrew also ceased to be a Counsellor of the State as non-working royals are not included in the group of people who can act on the monarch’s behalf in case they are incapacitated.

Giuffre took her own life in April, in Western Australia, where she was living with her husband and three children.

It’s understood the announcement today by Buckingham Palace was made not only to get ahead of the release of Giuffre’s memoir but also to avoid distracting from King Charles and Queen Camilla’s historic visit to The Vatican next week.

Excerpts of Giuffre’s Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir Of Surviving Abuse And Fighting For Justice have been serialised in newspapers this week ahead of the book’s full release and already brought the spotlight back on Prince Andrew’s friendship with Epstein.