Prince Andrew Gives Up Duke Of York Title & Royal Honors Amid Jeffrey Epstein Fallout

Prince Andrew will no longer be called the Duke of York. The royal has given up his title in the wake of continued scrutiny surrounding his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew confirmed the news in a statement obtained by Access Hollywood on Oct. 17, explaining that the decision was reached after consulting with his brother, King Charles, and other loved ones. “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,” he began, noting that the group agreed the time had come for him to “go a step further” and relinquish his titles and related honors. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life,” he continued, also reiterating that he “vigorously” denies all accusations against him. Andrew previously settled a sexual abuse lawsuit from Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. Andrew first faced backlash following the publication of a photo of himself putting his arm around a then-underage Giuffre. In a disastrous 2019 interview with BBC’s “Newsnight,” he said he’d contacted Epstein that year with the intent of ending their friendship despite his earlier claims that he’d cut ties with the disgraced financier nearly a decade earlier. Epstein was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He was later arrested on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges and found dead in his New York City prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. His death was ruled a suicide.