The decision follows mounting pressure regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with widespread calls for Buckingham Palace to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the prince.
The Prince’s Statement
In his announcement, Prince Andrew emphasized his continued denial of all allegations while explaining his decision to relinquish his honors.
“Following conversations with the King and my close and extended family members, we have determined that the persistent allegations surrounding me are detracting from His Majesty’s duties and the Royal Family’s mission,” the prince stated.
“As has always been my approach, I am prioritizing my obligations to both family and nation. I remain committed to my choice made five years ago to withdraw from public-facing duties. With His Majesty’s consent, we believe I must take an additional step. Consequently, I will no longer utilize my title or the distinctions I have received. As I have stated before, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Consultation and Impact
The prince reached this decision after consulting with both King Charles and William, Prince of Wales.
While he retains his status as a prince, he will no longer be known as the Duke of York—a title bestowed upon him by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Andrew had previously stepped away from official royal responsibilities and stopped using his HRH designation. This latest move further reduces his royal profile.
He is anticipated to continue residing at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he holds a private lease extending to 2078.
His former wife will now be identified simply as Sarah Ferguson rather than Duchess of York, though their daughters will maintain their princess titles.
Background of Controversies
The prince has weathered multiple controversies in recent years, including a settled lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, scrutiny over his financial dealings, and connections to an alleged Chinese intelligence operative.
Buckingham Palace has grown increasingly concerned about the continuing scandals associated with the prince.
A posthumous memoir by Ms. Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, is scheduled for publication next week. The book is expected to renew focus on Prince Andrew’s relationship with her and Epstein.
Ms. Giuffre maintained that she was among numerous vulnerable young women sexually exploited by Epstein and his affluent associates.
She asserted that the prince engaged in sexual activity with her at Ghislaine Maxwell’s London residence in 2001, when she was 17 years old.
Her memoir details two additional instances in which she claims to have had sexual encounters with Prince Andrew—at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and on his private Caribbean island.
Prince Andrew settled Ms. Giuffre’s civil lawsuit against him in 2022 with a financial payment, while maintaining his denial of all allegations.
Reactions
Sky Roberts, Ms. Giuffre’s brother, told BBC Newsnight that the announcement brought conflicting emotions, noting his late sister “would be very proud” of this outcome.
“We’ve experienced both joyful and sorrowful tears today. I believe the happiness stems from this validating Virginia in many respects,” he explained.
“The years of effort she invested are now yielding a form of justice, and these perpetrators cannot evade accountability—the truth ultimately emerges.”
He characterized this as “a moment where survivors are refusing to remain silent.”
“It’s a celebratory moment for them because we’re finally receiving some recognition, like ‘this genuinely occurred, our accounts are truthful,'” Mr. Roberts stated.
He emphasized that “much more needs to be achieved, particularly here in the United States,” adding that anyone implicated “should bear some responsibility and be held accountable to these survivors.”
Another Epstein accuser, Haley Robson, described the development as “bittersweet” to BBC Newsnight.
Ms. Robson said Ms. Giuffre “initiated this battle and we’re going to complete it,” expressing her wish that Ms. Giuffre “could have been here to witness all that she set in motion.”
“Having him step down and lose his titles is something that has been long overdue, and it is entirely fitting, and credit to King Charles,” Ms. Robson commented.
Critical Perspectives
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie contended the “statement should have originated from the King.”
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he suggested “a stronger stance should have been adopted.”
Mr. Lownie, author of “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” remarked: “If Andrew was genuinely prioritizing his duty to his family and country, he would have vacated Royal Lodge years ago and would have actually resigned many years ago.”
Additional Controversies
Andrew withdrew from Royal Family gatherings last Christmas following the identification of an alleged Chinese spy linked to him in a High Court ruling.
His office maintained that no sensitive information had ever been shared with Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, who had become a trusted advisor on Andrew’s commercial endeavors.
In 2022, Andrew was repeatedly mentioned in litigation between a Turkish businesswoman and her former business consultant.
While no wrongdoing by the prince was suggested, the proceedings highlighted his receipt of payments through complicated financial arrangements. A £750,000 gift from the Turkish businesswoman was subsequently returned by the prince.
