The United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew announced Friday that he will give up using his royal title, Duke of York, and other honors.
The move comes as her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein comes under renewed scrutiny.
What did Prince Andrew say?
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew said he and the royal family had agreed to the decision because “the persistent allegations about me have distracted from the work of Her Majesty and the royal family.”
“Therefore I will no longer use the title or honor that has been bestowed upon me,” the 65-year-old said. “As I have previously said, I vehemently deny the allegations made against me.”
The announcement comes as excerpts from the upcoming posthumous memoir aired by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17 — claims the prince has long denied.
Andrew resigned from public life in 2019 amid widespread backlash over her relationship with Epstein and a disastrous television interview in which she attempted to defend herself.
Royal aides said Friday’s move was aimed at drawing a line under the controversy and preserving the monarchy’s focus on official duties under King Charles III.
Edited by: Carl Sexton