Prince Andrew has agreed to relinquish all his royal titles, including the Duke of York designation, in a dramatic move approved by King Charles III following a wave of fresh scandals linked to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and an alleged Chinese spy.
The decision, confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Friday, marks the most severe step yet against the King’s brother — effectively ending his remaining ties to public royal life.
“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,” Prince Andrew said in a palace statement. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
The Prince added that, “with His Majesty’s agreement,” he would no longer use his titles or honours but continues to “vigorously deny” all allegations made against him.
The announcement follows weeks of mounting pressure inside Buckingham Palace, as aides and senior royals grew alarmed that new revelations involving the Prince were overshadowing official engagements — including next week’s high-profile royal visit to the Vatican.
King Charles and the Prince of Wales reportedly led the discussions, concluding that the accusations had reached what insiders called a “tipping point.”
The move means Andrew, 64, will no longer be known as the Duke of York and will step down from the prestigious Order of the Garter. However, he retains the title of “Prince” by birthright under royal protocol established by George V and reaffirmed by Queen Elizabeth II.
His former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, will also lose her title and will henceforth be known simply as Sarah Ferguson.
The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s private dealings.
Recent reports revealed that he met Cai Qi, a senior Chinese Communist Party official now linked to an alleged espionage network, on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2019 — including at a Buckingham Palace lunch.
Leaked emails also suggested that the Prince maintained contact with Epstein longer than he admitted publicly, contradicting his 2019 Newsnight interview in which he claimed to have severed ties in 2010.
Documents released in U.S. court filings list Andrew as a passenger on several Epstein flights, alongside Ghislaine Maxwell.
The move deepens a long-running royal rift. Prince William, sources say, was “decisive” in urging both the late Queen and now the King to act, determined to protect the monarchy from further damage.
Andrew’s public downfall began in 2019 following his Newsnight interview, which was widely condemned as disastrous. Shortly after, Queen Elizabeth II ordered him to withdraw from public duties.
In January 2022, amid a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre — an Epstein victim who accused Andrew of sexual abuse when she was 17 — the late Queen stripped him of all military affiliations and royal patronages. Andrew settled the case out of court for a reported $12 million, without admitting liability.
He has not carried out public royal duties since, and his role as Counsellor of State remains inactive.
The family of Virginia Giuffre hailed Friday’s announcement as “vindication” for survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
“Prince Andrew’s decision to give up his titles is vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere,” they said in a statement, urging King Charles to go further by removing his princely title as well.
Haley Robson, another Epstein survivor, described the moment as “bittersweet but long overdue.”
“This is why King Charles is king,” she told the BBC. “He’s showing the world what accountability looks like — even within his own family.”
Royal historians describe the move as one of the most decisive actions by a British monarch in modern times — comparable to the late Queen’s handling of the Sussexes’ departure in 2020.
Prince Andrew will continue to live at Royal Lodge, Windsor, under a long-term lease that runs until 2078, but will no longer appear at family events or public ceremonies.
For King Charles, the decision is seen as a necessary but painful act to safeguard the institution’s integrity.
As one royal aide put it:
“This was about protecting the Crown, not punishing a brother. But the line had to be drawn.”
