Prince Andrew has announced a significant step back from royal duties following discussions with King Charles and other family members. In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, Andrew emphasized that ongoing accusations against him were becoming a distraction from the Royal Family’s commitments and duties.
“In talks with The King and my immediate and extended family, we’ve agreed that the persistent allegations against me are detracting from the important work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew stated.
He continued, “I have always prioritized my duty to my family and country. Reflecting on my decision five years ago to step away from public life, I stand by that choice.”
With the concurrence of King Charles, the Duke of York announced that he would take an additional step. “I will no longer use my title or any honors previously bestowed upon me,” he declared.
Reiterating his stance, Andrew added, “As I have stated before, I strongly deny the accusations against me.”
This decision was reached after careful consultation not only with the King but also with the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family. Sources indicate that King Charles supports his 65-year-old brother’s decision.
Prince Andrew’s other titles that have been relinquished include his knighthoods – as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and a knight of the Order of the Garter.
It’s understood the changes will impact Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, who will continue to be known in a personal and professional capacity as Sarah Ferguson.
However, it’s not expected to have any impact on the couple’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Relinquishing his dukedom won’t impact Andrew’s living arrangements, with the prince to remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
While the royal has given up all of his titles and honours voluntarily, there’s one that can’t be taken away from him, and that is the title of prince.
Once second in line for the British throne, Andrew was born in 1960 as a son of a monarch and as per the Letters Patent issued in 1917 by George V, was born a prince.
Prince Andrew first stepped back from his royal duties in 2019 following his car crash Newsnight interview about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Giuffre was a victim of Epstein’s who said she was sex-trafficked by the businessman.
She claims in her book to have had sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions, saying the royal thought it was his “birthright”. Prince Andrew has denied all allegations made by Giuffre.
After his Newsnight interview, Andrew was sued by Giuffre. Andrew has always denied Giuffre’s allegations about him but settled the matter out of court in February 2022, reportedly for many millions of dollars.
The court case resulted in Andrew being stripped of remaining military titles, charity patronages and the title of His Royal Highness. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the monarch at the time.
Andrew also ceased to be a Counsellor of the State as non-working royals are not included in the group of people who can act on the monarch’s behalf in case they are incapacitated.
Giuffre took her own life in April, in Western Australia, where she was living with her husband and three children.
It’s understood the announcement today by Buckingham Palace was made not only to get ahead of the release of Giuffre’s memoir but also to avoid distracting from King Charles and Queen Camilla’s historic visit to The Vatican next week.
Excerpts of Giuffre’s Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir Of Surviving Abuse And Fighting For Justice have been serialised in newspapers this week ahead of the book’s full release and already brought the spotlight back on Prince Andrew’s friendship with Epstein.
