Prince Andrew has relinquished his royal titles due to allegations of sexual assault and his association with Jeffrey Epstein, but the future of these titles remains uncertain.
After discussions with King Charles, it was announced on October 17 that Andrew will cease using his Duke of York title. Additionally, he will lose his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Although Andrew will no longer use the title, he retains his dukedom as it can only be formally removed through an Act of Parliament. He will continue to be a prince.
This decision follows ongoing scrutiny surrounding his ties to Epstein and the sexual assault allegations made by Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre’s family has expressed that the loss of his titles serves as a ‘vindication.’
Andrew settled Giuffre’s lawsuit from 2021 out of court for an undisclosed amount, without admitting to any wrongdoing.
In line with the agreement with the King, the BBC reports that Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer hold the title of The Duchess of York. However, their daughters will maintain their status as princesses.
Despite these changes, Andrew’s position in the line of succession remains unaffected, keeping him eighth in line for the throne.
In a statement, Andrew 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.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me.
“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Royal expert Sharon Carpenter described the move as ‘largely symbolic’ at the moment.
“At this point it is highly doubtful we will see him publicly with any senior member of the royal family for the foreseeable future,” she mentioned to E! News.
She also provided insights into the future of his titles.
Carpenter explained that someone may inherit his titles eventually, though the dukedom follows a male-only succession line. With Andrew having two daughters, neither can inherit his titles. A future son could potentially receive these titles.
It’s important to note that Andrew hasn’t been officially stripped of his dukedom, as this requires parliamentary action and a vote from MPs. Carpenter noted that this would be “more complex than this immediate action” of Andrew deciding not to use the Duke of York title.
This development occurred just before the release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who was involved in a civil sexual assault case with Andrew before it was settled.
Giuffre passed away in April at the age of 41, shortly after her book, titled “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice,” was slated for release.
In her memoir, Giuffre claimed to have met Prince Andrew in March 2001, alleging they dined, partied, and returned to Ghislaine Maxwell’s residence. She further claimed Maxwell pressured her into actions for Andrew, akin to those for Epstein, and subsequently praised her.
“The next morning, Maxwell told me: ‘You did well. The prince had fun,’” Giuffre wrote, alleging Epstein later gave her $15,000.
Prince Andrew denies the allegations made by Giuffre.