Britain’s Prince Andrew has announced that he will relinquish his royal title amid multiple controversies, including his connection with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released on Friday (October 17), he said he would no longer use the title “Duke of York.”
“The ongoing allegations against me have been distracting from the work of my brother King Charles and the wider royal family. As always, I prioritize my duties to my family and my country,” the statement read.
Last year, a court revealed that one of Andrew’s close business associates was suspected by the British government of being a Chinese spy. At that time, Andrew said he had severed ties with the individual.
Andrew added that, with the King’s consent, he had decided not to use his royal title going forward. He continues to strongly deny all allegations. Royal sources said the decision came after consultations with senior family members, and the King is satisfied with it.
The 65-year-old prince is currently eighth in line to the throne. Once a distinguished officer in the British Navy, he participated in the Falklands War in the 1980s. He stepped down as a trade envoy in 2011, resigned from all royal duties in 2019, and had his military affiliations and patronages revoked in 2022 following sexual misconduct allegations—a claim he has consistently denied.
