Cliff Notes
- Prince Andrew has chosen to relinquish his titles, including Duke of York, while retaining the style of Prince due to his royal lineage.
- This decision, made in consultation with King Charles and other family members, is aimed at reducing distractions caused by ongoing allegations against him.
- Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also stop using her title, The Duchess of York, and the change in titles is effective immediately.
Prince Andrew to give up all his titles and honours, including Duke of York | UK News
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Prince Andrew has announced he is to give up his titles, including the Duke of York.
However, he will remain a prince, having been born the son of Queen Elizabeth II.
His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer use her title of The Duchess of York, it is understood.
In a statement, Prince Andrew said: “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.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
Follow updates: Prince Andrew latest: ‘I must go a step further’
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.
“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
King ‘glad’ of the outcome
The decision comes following increased pressure on Prince Andrew after continuing reports of his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.
It is understood that the change will take effect immediately.
The King is glad of the outcome, it is understood, and the decision was taken in close consultation with His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family.
He will continue to be known as Prince Andrew and will continue to live at the Windsor Estate at the Royal Lodge.
The move also does not impact the position of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
For the second year running, he is not expected to attend the Royal Family’s annual Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
‘An unwelcome distraction’
Sky News’ royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, said: “This is quite an extraordinary move. I think it shows that, actually, things had gone too far.
“Prince Andrew, and allegations about him and Virginia Giuffre, were continuing to be too much of a distraction for the Royal Family.”
What is Prince Andrew accused of?
Prince Andrew has denied allegations made by Ms Giuffre – one of Epstein’s victims – of sexual assault.
She had filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew, accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions after she was introduced to him by Epstein.
The case was settled outside of court for a sum believed to have been around £12m.
Ms Giuffre died in April. Her family said Ms Giuffre “lost her life to suicide” at her farm in Western Australia, aged 41.
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