Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles, including Duke of York, after talks with King Charles, amid continuing fallout over links to Jeffrey Epstein and a suspected Chinese spy.
Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he would no longer use his royal titles, including Duke of York, following discussions with King Charles — a move marking another dramatic step in his slow retreat from public life.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the 64-year-old said, “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. 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.”
The decision, effective immediately, comes after consultations with senior members of the royal family, including Prince William, according to palace sources cited by CNN. Andrew’s move effectively ends his formal association with the royal household, though he will continue to be known as “Prince” by virtue of being the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He will remain at his residence in the Royal Lodge in Windsor under a private tenancy agreement but will no longer participate in any official royal events, including the family’s traditional Christmas gatherings.
Andrew’s ex-wife will now be referred to simply as “Sarah Ferguson,” while their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retain their royal status.
The announcement follows years of controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and more recent allegations of links to a suspected Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo. Both episodes have severely tarnished his public image and isolated him from royal duties.
Andrew first stepped back from public life in 2019 following a disastrous BBC interview in which he attempted to explain his friendship with Epstein — an appearance that drew sharp public backlash and led to his suspension from royal engagements.
He later faced a civil lawsuit in 2015 filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her while she was underage and being trafficked by Epstein. The prince has consistently denied the allegations but reached an undisclosed settlement with Giuffre in 2022, avoiding trial yet reigniting criticism over his conduct.
Despite insisting he “vigorously denies” all accusations, the renewed focus on his alleged dealings with Yang Tengbo — whom a UK tribunal has since banned from entering Britain — further fuelled demands for the palace to take decisive action.
By renouncing his titles and public honours, Prince Andrew appears to be drawing a line under one of the most damaging royal scandals in decades. Still, the move underscores the monarchy’s ongoing struggle to protect its image while managing internal divisions and public scrutiny in the post-Elizabethan era.
