Prince Andrew has called off a lavish birthday celebration for his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson, in light of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein controversy. Ferguson, who maintains a close relationship with the prince, was scheduled to mark her 66th birthday with a grand party at their residence in Windsor last Wednesday. However, Andrew decided to cancel the event amidst discussions about relinquishing his royal titles, including the Duke of York.
The decision to cancel the party follows Prince Andrew’s recent announcement that he would no longer use his titles, a move triggered by revelations that he had corresponded with the convicted sex offender Epstein after claiming to have severed ties with him. An email from 2011 involving discussions about Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epstein’s trafficking, came to light, further intensifying the scrutiny on Prince Andrew’s connections.
In response to the accusations, Prince Andrew vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson found herself entangled in the scandal after emails surfaced showing her expressing admiration for Epstein. Following public backlash, she was removed from charity positions she held.
While Prince Andrew has opted to forgo his titles, there are calls for further actions to be taken against him. Notably, royal commentator Ingrid Seward has voiced concerns about Andrew’s privileged lifestyle, suggesting that he should be asked to vacate his residence and funds invested in the estate redirected, questioning the impact of his actions on the monarchy’s reputation.