Prince Andrew made a significant announcement on Friday, confirming that he is relinquishing all his royal titles. While he will retain his status as a prince, he is stepping down from the position of Duke of York, a title bestowed upon him by his late mother, the Queen. Additionally, he has renounced his membership in the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most esteemed chivalric order in Britain.
The decision follows allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, accusing Andrew of sexual assault on three occasions in 2001 when she was 17 and under Epstein’s control. Andrew has vehemently denied these allegations. Amid escalating scrutiny of his ties to Epstein, Andrew declared that he will no longer use his Duke of York title and any associated royal honors. He expressed that the ongoing accusations against him are diverting attention from the royal family’s duties.
As a result of this development, Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, will no longer be recognized as the Duchess of York. However, their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their princess titles. While the sisters’ formal status remains unchanged, they have had to witness their parents’ tumultuous lives being dissected publicly.
Royal author Katie Nicholl commended the daughters for enduring the situation with grace, stating that they have faced undue hardship in silence. Despite the challenges, they continue to hold a special place as beloved nieces of the King, with potential future appearances at royal gatherings.
Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams emphasized the potential emotional toll on Beatrice and Eugenie as their parents face public scrutiny. The sisters, who have withdrawn from recent public events, were notably absent from a high-profile gala. Despite their non-working royal status, occasional duties, like Princess Eugenie’s mentoring role, have been undertaken.
While Beatrice and Eugenie have participated in significant royal functions in the past, the likelihood of them taking on official royal duties seems remote given the current circumstances involving their parents. The sisters’ familial closeness may preclude them from engaging in new charitable initiatives for the foreseeable future.
The situation has garnered calls for Andrew to be stripped of his prince title, a measure that could be enacted through official channels. Political figures have deferred to the royal family to guide decisions on this matter, expressing solidarity with Giuffre and her family during these challenging times.
In his statement, Andrew highlighted his commitment to his family and country, noting that the persistent accusations against him have led him to withdraw from public life. With the King’s approval, he has taken the additional step of relinquishing his title and associated honors, reiterating his denial of the allegations brought against him.