Prince Andrew gives up his royal titles after ‘discussion with the King’ amid Epstein fallout; is he still a ‘Prince’?

The castle has finally crumbled under pressure, or as they call it, “continued accusations.”In a statement released via Buckingham Palace on 17 October, Prince Andrew declared that he would be giving up all his royal titles – i.e., he would stop using his title “Duke of York” and other honors, citing a desire to avoid being a distraction to the royal family’s work. Andrew said the decision came after “discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family,” emphasizing that “continued accusations” against him distract from the monarchy’s mission.

In the 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.”He added, “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,” reaffirming his denial of all allegations, including those made by Virginia Giuffre, while adding that he was stepping further back from public life.As part of the decision, Andrew will relinquish use of honors such as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter – along with his main royal title, Duke of York. Apart from those changes, two other badges of senior royal status – the earldom of Inverness and the barony of Killyleagh – will no longer be used by him as well.However, it’s important to note here that the dukedom itself remains, because removal of such a title would require an act of Parliament. In effect, he retains the title in name but will no longer actively use or exercise it. Meanwhile, his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will likewise stop using her title of “Duchess of York.”

Yes — in a technical, legal sense, Prince Andrew remains a prince, despite giving up his lofty royal titles. He was born as the son of Queen Elizabeth II, and a simple statement cannot remove that princely status. What changes is how he uses his titles and honors. He will no longer style himself “Duke of York” or use royal honors in public life. To legally strip him of the dukedom or princely status would require an Act of Parliament or invocation of special laws such as the Titles Deprivation Act — a rare and politically fraught route. In short, he gives up using those titles and honors, but he remains Prince Andrew by birthright, though greatly diminished in function and public standing.

Virginia Louise Giuffre (née Roberts), an American-Australian campaigner who passed away in April 2025, was a victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein. In March 2001, Giuffre was allegedly trafficked to Prince Andrew, as she stated in an interview that it was a “wicked” and “really scary time” in her life and that she “couldn’t comprehend how in the highest level of the government powerful people were allowing this to happen. Not just allowing but participating in it”. After visiting a nightclub, Giuffre revealed that Maxwell told her that she, “had to do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey”.Andrew already stepped back from official duties in 2019 amid the Epstein controversy. He lost most of his military affiliations, patronages, and access to public roles.

This latest move is a further withdrawal.However, the timing is notable. The announcement arrives just days before the posthumous memoir of Giuffre — who accused Andrew of sexual misconduct as a minor — is set to be published. New evidence has also surfaced: for instance, emails from 2011 showing continued contact with Epstein after Andrew’s claimed severance.Andrew is now likely to remain in private life, stripped of many symbols of status. And now that it’s done, the monarchy’s only hope – as it seems – is to move forward with less scandal and distraction.