Prince Andrew will no longer use his royal titles, including Duke of York, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday. The decision follows renewed public attention on his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, after excerpts from a posthumous memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre resurfaced this week.
In a statement released by the Palace, the Prince said the move was made in consultation with King Charles III and other senior members of the Royal Family.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Prince Andrew added that, “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.”
The decision brings an official end to Andrew’s use of his remaining royal titles and honours, including Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He will, however, retain the title of Prince, which he has held since birth.
Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most vocal accusers, died by suicide in April 2025. In her memoir, excerpts of which were published by The Guardian, she recounted her alleged encounters with the Duke, claiming that she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.
“He was friendly enough, but still entitled — as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright,” Giuffre wrote. “The next morning, Maxwell told me: ‘You did well. The prince had fun.’ Epstein would give me $15,000 for servicing the man the tabloids called ‘Randy Andy.’”
Giuffre sued Andrew in 2021, and though he denied the allegations, the two reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022.
The Prince’s reputation suffered a major blow in 2019 after a controversial BBC interview, in which he attempted to clear his name but instead drew public backlash for his lack of empathy toward Epstein’s victims and questionable explanations — including his claim that he was “medically incapable of sweating.” The fallout led to his immediate withdrawal from public duties.
Once celebrated as a decorated naval officer and the Queen’s “favourite son,” Andrew’s fall from grace has left him increasingly isolated from royal affairs. The decision to relinquish his titles marks the latest step in distancing the monarchy from years of scandal surrounding his association with Epstein and Maxwell.
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