Prince Andrew renounces Duke of York title after Epstein controversy
Prince Andrew has relinquished his remaining titles and honours, including Duke of York, following the fallout from the Epstein scandal.
This comes only days ahead of the publication of a memoir by Andrew’s late alleged victim, Virginia Giuffre, to whom he paid millions to resolve a civil sexual assault lawsuit.
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, Andrew said the decision followed discussions with the King and his immediate and extended family.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife will now be referred to as Sarah Ferguson, also giving up her title of Duchess of York.
‘I have resolved, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to step back from public life,’ he said.
‘With His Majesty’s agreement, we believe I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours bestowed upon me. As I have said before, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.’
It has also been reported that, for the second consecutive year, Prince Andrew will not attend the royals’ Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Sky’s Rhiannon Mills said the King is ‘glad’ about the decision: ‘This decision was essentially taken in conjunction with the King – yes, it was the prince’s decision but with very close consultation with the King involved, and we understand that the King is pleased with this outcome.’
Which titles is Prince Andrew relinquishing?
Andrew will remain a prince, a status he has held since birth.
The King’s brother will retain the dukedom, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, but he will not use it.
He will also give up his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter position as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
He’ll still be allowed to stay in the Royal Lodge, despite the king wanting the Duke of York to vacate it for the nearby Frogmore Cottage, formerly home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
As what one insider dubbed ‘the siege of Royal Lodge’ dragged on, Charles issued an ultimatum earlier this year – move, or get cut off.
Charles followed through, no longer paying for Andrew’s security.
That move appears to have failed, however, because Andrew has now persuaded Palace authorities that he has the funds to pay his own way.
What does Giuffre’s new book claim?
In her posthumous book, Giuffre called Prince Andrew ‘entitled’ and alleged he believed having sex with her was his ‘birthright’.
Virginia, who died in April aged 41, makes these revelations in ‘Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice’, which she finished writing before her death.
The book is set to be released this month and will detail the alleged encounter she had with Andrew when she was 17 after being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein.
Within the 400-page book, she also writes that the Duke of York said ‘thank you’ in a ‘clipped British accent’ after having sex with her.
Ghislaine Maxwell also allegedly praised her afterward, saying: ‘You did well, the Prince had fun.’
World Affairs Correspondent
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