Prince Andrew gives up his royal titles in fallout from Jeffrey Epstein scandal

Britain's Prince Andrew will no longer use his royal titles, including the Duke of York, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday. The announcement came after the publication of excerpts from the posthumous memoirs of Jeffrey Epstein, Virginia Roberts Giuffre's accuserwho has repeatedly alleged that the late financier was a victim of sexual exploitation for Andrew.

“In discussions with the King and my immediate and wider family, we have agreed that the ongoing allegations against me are a distraction from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, said in a statement. “I have decided, as always, to put my duty to my family and country first. “I remain true to my decision made five years ago to stay away from public life.”

He continued: “With His Majesty's consent, we feel that I must now go even further. Therefore, I will no longer use my title or the honors that have been bestowed upon me. As I have said previously, I strongly reject the allegations against me.”

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, sued Andrew in 2021, alleging that he forced her to perform sexual acts against her will when she was 17 years old. two reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022. Andrew denied the allegations.

Giuffre was one of the most vocal accusers of Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty helping Epstein groom, recruit, and sexually abuse underage girls. Giuffre claimed that Maxwell connected her with Epstein, but Maxwell denies this.

In an excerpt from my memories published by The GuardianGiuffre details his alleged meetings with Andrew.

“He was friendly enough, but also entitled—as if he thought sex with me was his birthright,” she wrote. “The next morning Maxwell told me, ‘You did well. The prince had fun.” Epstein would give me $15,000 to serve the man the tabloids called “Randy Andy.”

Andrew, once second in line to the British throne, has long been a tabloid source due to his links to Epsteinother shady characters and money problems.

His attempt to refute Giuffre's accusations backfired during an interview with the BBC in November 2019. Viewers saw the prince offer curious rebuttals—for example, challenging Giuffre's memories of sweaty dancing, claiming he was medically incapable of sweating—and showing no empathy for women who said Epstein abused them.

A few days after the interview, Andrew stepped down from his royal duties.

As well as no longer being known as the Duke of York, Andrew will also give up his other titles: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Knight Royal of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

He will remain a prince, which is his right from birth.