Prince Andrew announced his decision on Friday to relinquish his title as the Duke of York amidst ongoing scrutiny over his conduct and associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, he expressed that the persistent allegations against him were overshadowing the efforts of his elder brother, King Charles, and the broader initiatives of the British Royal Family. Andrew reiterated his choice to withdraw from public life five years ago and emphasized his commitment to his family and country.
Following consultations with senior royals, Andrew opted to renounce his titles with the approval of the King. Despite this action, he retains his status as a prince and remains eighth in line to the throne as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth. The royal family welcomed the decision, with a source confirming the King’s satisfaction with the outcome.
Andrew’s decision comes amid a history of scandal, notably highlighted by a recent settlement in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual misconduct when she was a teenager. Despite Andrew’s denial of the allegations, Giuffre’s claims resurfaced with the upcoming release of her memoir. The book reportedly details Andrew’s belief that he was entitled to engage in sexual activities with her.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman remarked on the ongoing controversies surrounding Andrew, suggesting that the palace and the prince himself have agreed on the necessity of further distancing to preserve dignity. Andrew had previously relinquished his “His Royal Highness” title and will continue to reside at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle but will no longer participate in the annual Christmas gatherings at Sandringham.
His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will not be affected by his decision, but his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer be referred to as the Duchess of York. The royal family has faced diminishing numbers in recent years with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also stepping back from official duties. Historian Anthony Seldon noted the significance of Andrew’s title relinquishment, marking a rare event in the history of the British monarchy where a senior royal voluntarily gives up a dukedom.