Update: Shortly after this story went live, Prince Andrew issued the following statement, agreeing to no longer use his titles:
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.
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.
Original: In recent weeks, Prince Andrew’s former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has made a spate of damaging headlines, from his appearance in Virginia Giuffre’s memoir to the news that he emailed Jeffrey Epstein after he said they had ceased contact. And in the wake of this it has now been reported that the Prince has made the decision to give up his Duke of York title.
The Telegraph reports that the Prince had decided to give up his title having come under “huge pressure” from King Charles. He will also give up his membership of the Order of the Garter. He will still be a Prince as he was born one as the son of Queen Elizabeth.
The news comes hours after a spate of reports that the King was considering his options regarding his younger brother. It was reported in The Times this evening that the King was “considering all options” when it came to Andrew and that his title could be removed.
Not long after this report, the Daily Mail reported that it had its own source saying that the King was considering removing Andrew from the Order of the Garter. And The Sun also cited a source saying that “all options” were on the table as far as the Palace was concerned. The stories point to hope from royal officials that Andrew would choose to relinquish his title and leave his home in Royal Lodge before his brother was forced to act.
The King can choose to remove Andrew from the Order of the Garter, which is Britain’s oldest and most senior order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348. Charles cannot, however, remove Andrew’s Duke of York title, as this has to happen through an act of Parliament. When it comes to the Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew has a long-term lease agreement with the Crown Estate which means he can stay as long as he can meet those terms.
Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 when his mother Queen Elizabeth was on the throne. Also during her reign, he was stripped of his honorary military appointments and gave up the use of his His Royal Highness style. However, he has appeared with the family publicly at certain events such as Christmas Day.
The Prince has always denied any wrongdoing, however his association with Jeffrey Epstein continues to cause significant controversy and has made an increased number of headlines of late. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has also recently been dropped by charities after an email she is said to have sent to Epstein was made public.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
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