In a move marking a significant moment for the British monarchy, Prince Andrew has announced that he will no longer use his royal title or the honours previously conferred upon him. The Duke of York, who remains eighth in line to the throne, said the decision followed discussions with King Charles III, his immediate family, and the wider royal circle, concluding that continued controversy surrounding him had become a distraction from the work of the Royal Family. “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” the Buckingham Palace statement read. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.” Prince Andrew’s statement reaffirmed his 2020 decision to step back from public life following sexual abuse allegations linked to his association with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. While he has repeatedly and “vigorously” denied the accusations, the shadow of the scandal has persisted, eroding his public standing and limiting his participation in royal duties. For instance, one of the prominent accusers of Epstein, Virginia Giuffre, claimed she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew three times after being trafficked by Epstein. The prince has reportedly fiercely denied all claims against him and reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022, which contained no admission of liability or apology.
