Amid private discussions at Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has made the decision to relinquish all his royal titles, including the Duke of York, in response to ongoing accusations that have overshadowed the Royal Family’s work. The move, described as a relief by a palace insider, is seen as a resolution to the long-standing issue surrounding Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
The controversy stemmed from allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to engage in sexual activities with Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has vehemently denied these claims, stating no recollection of meeting Giuffre and casting doubt on the authenticity of a photograph showing them together. Despite a civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre in New York in 2021, which was settled out of court the following year, no admission of wrongdoing was included in the agreement.
After being initially stripped of his royal patronages and military titles, Andrew had withdrawn from public duties indefinitely. Recent reports also raised concerns about his meeting with Cai Qi, a senior Chinese official linked to a spy scandal. However, with his recent decision to give up his remaining titles, a palace source indicated a sense of closure, noting that it marks a significant turning point and allows for a collective sigh of relief.
In a statement released by Andrew, he emphasized that the accusations against him have been a distraction to the monarchy’s work and reiterated his commitment to prioritizing his family and country. With the approval of the King, Andrew expressed his decision to further step back by no longer utilizing his title or associated honors, maintaining his denial of the allegations.
The development has sparked public interest in whether Prince Andrew made the right choice in relinquishing his royal titles.