Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has announced he will relinquish his royal titles — including Duke of York — amid ongoing scrutiny over his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew Steps Back from Royal Life
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, Prince Andrew confirmed that, after discussions with King Charles and other members of the royal family, he has agreed to step away from his official titles and honours.
“After consulting with His Majesty and my family, we agreed that the ongoing accusations about me distract from the important work of the King and the royal family,” Andrew said.
He continued:
“I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours that have been conferred upon me.”
While Andrew will give up his formal titles, he will retain his birthright as a prince.
Andrew Denies Allegations, Duchess of York Affected
Prince Andrew reiterated his stance, saying, “I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
His former wife, Sarah Ferguson — the Duchess of York — will also no longer use her title.
Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles and continue to represent the family in limited capacities.
Epstein Scandal and China Allegations
The decision follows years of controversy surrounding Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein and renewed interest in his alleged ties to individuals linked to Chinese intelligence.
Reports by The Guardian claim that Andrew met with Cai Qi, a senior member of China’s ruling Politburo, in 2018 and 2019. Cai has been connected to a case involving British nationals accused of spying for Beijing.
Additionally, newly surfaced emails published by the Mail on Sunday suggest that Prince Andrew remained in contact with Epstein later than he admitted during his infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis — a televised appearance that severely damaged his public standing.
Previous Stripping of Military and Royal Privileges
Prior to this latest announcement, Prince Andrew had already been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages. He was also barred from using the honorific “His Royal Highness.”
As King Charles III continues efforts to modernize and protect the monarchy’s reputation, Prince Andrew’s decision marks another step in distancing the royal family from long-running controversies.
