It’s been a busy week for Prince Andrew. On October 17, he announced that he would stop using his titles and honours — a big move for someone who’s been known as the Duke of York for almost forty years. Then, just a few days later, eagle-eyed fans noticed a not-so-subtle change on the royal family’s official website.
As of Monday, October 20, the header on Andrew’s bio no longer reads “The Duke of York.” It now simply says “Prince Andrew.”
The decision came “with His Majesty’s agreement,” according to the official statement shared on Royal.uk. “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,” Andrew wrote. “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.”
He went on to say that he “will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.” Wrapping up, Andrew added, “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
In simple terms: the dukedom is still technically his under U.K. peerage law, but he’s stopping its public use. He remains “Prince Andrew” by birthright, but “Duke of York” is effectively being put on mute.
For anyone left in the dark, this shift has been building for years. Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, has been under public scrutiny since his association with Jeffrey Epstein came to light. His disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, in which he attempted to defend himself, led to widespread backlash.
In 2022, he was stripped of his military affiliations and patronages and ceased using “His Royal Highness” in a public capacity. Now, nearly three years later, this newest move further distances him from official royal life.
And the timing couldn’t be more explosive. On Tuesday, October 21, Nobody’s Girl — the long-anticipated memoir by Virginia Giuffre — hit shelves, reigniting public interest in the allegations that have shadowed Andrew for years.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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