Prince Andrew has voluntarily renounced all his royal titles, including the Duke of York, in response to renewed scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision, announced through a statement from Buckingham Palace, was reached after discussions with King Charles III and other members of the royal family. The prince cited the need to avoid further distractions from the duties of the monarchy and the broader Royal Family.
In his statement, Prince Andrew emphasized his commitment to prioritizing his family and country, reiterating his denial of the allegations against him. He expressed his decision to step back from using his title and associated honors, with the approval of King Charles III. The prince also reaffirmed his stance from five years ago when he withdrew from public engagements.
The accusations against Prince Andrew stem from a civil lawsuit in the United States, where he settled out of court with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual misconduct. Giuffre, who tragically passed away at the age of 41, alleged that she was trafficked for sex by Epstein and was coerced into sexual encounters with powerful figures, including Prince Andrew.
According to Giuffre’s claims, she was sexually assaulted by the prince on multiple occasions, starting when she was a minor. These alleged incidents took place in various locations, including London, New York, and Epstein’s private island. Despite the detailed accusations, Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre.
In August 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in New York, accusing him of sexual assault when she was 17 years old. The case was settled outside of court for an undisclosed sum, reportedly around £12 million, without any admission of guilt or liability on the prince’s part. Prince Andrew continues to deny any involvement in the Epstein scandal and the related accusations.
This latest development adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s connections to Epstein and raises further questions about his conduct and credibility in the public eye.