Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles amid Epstein scandal
New accusations have prompted this action by the embattled sibling of King Charles
Britain’s Prince Andrew has given up his remaining royal titles following fresh disclosures from the posthumously published memoir of Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused him of sexual abuse connected to the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein. This decision on Friday represents the latest repercussion of a scandal that has long overshadowed the British monarchy.
In 2019, Epstein faced arrest for the sex trafficking of minors, charged with operating a network where influential figures exploited underage girls. He died in custody that same year, in what authorities ruled a suicide.
Prince Andrew was the subject of a 2021 sexual abuse lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein’s trafficking ring who alleged that she was forced to have sex with his associates, including the prince, when she was 17.
While Andrew denied these claims – and in 2022, he and Giuffre reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement – this week, British media released excerpts from Giuffre’s memoir ‘Nobody’s Girl’, published after her death, reigniting the controversy. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, asserted that the prince believed he was “entitled” to sexual relations with her and viewed it as “his birthright.”
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, Prince Andrew indicated his decision came amidst renewed pressure over the scandal, which “distracts from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”
“I have chosen, as I consistently do, to prioritize my duty to my family and nation,” Andrew declared. “Consequently, I will cease using my title and the distinctions bestowed upon me.” He reaffirmed his “vigorous” denial of the allegations against him.
Andrew had previously withdrawn from his official royal duties after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, removed his military ranks and charitable patronages when the controversy initially emerged. He will now surrender the Duke of York title, his knighthood, and his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Nevertheless, Andrew will maintain his status as a prince, being the son of Elizabeth II, and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will keep their own titles.
Following the announcement, Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, told BBC Newsnight that the news evoked a mix of feelings but expressed that his deceased sister “would be very proud,” because it “vindicated” her and moved her endeavors to reveal Epstein’s and Andrew’s alleged misdeeds “towards some measure of justice.”