King Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, who has been besieged by numerous scandals, has relinquished his royal title, according to a statement released Friday.
“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,” the statement read.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first,” the statement continued. “I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further,” the statement concluded. “I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
The BBC reports:
He has been under increasing pressure for his links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.
That now seems to have resulted in the prince deciding to voluntarily hand back his titles and to give up membership of the Order of the Garter.
Prince Andrew has faced a series of scandals, including a court case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his finances and his involvement with an alleged Chinese spy.
He will remain a prince – but will cease to be the Duke of York, a title received from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will no longer ve able to use her title of Duchess of York, either. She had continued using the title after the divorce, but as the title Duke of York is no longer Prince Andrew’s, she will no longer be a duchess.
Daniela Relph, a senior royal correspondent for BBC, commented on Prince Andrew’s statement, calling it “short and concise.”
“It is not conciliatory in its tone. There is no apology,” Relph said. “But he recognize s the distraction he has become.”
Relph added, “The details of any discussions he has had with his older brother, the King, have not been revealed but it would be safe to say the current situation was unsustainable and something had to change.”
This is a breaking news story.
BREAKING: Prince Andrew voluntarily gives up ALL his titles.
He issues a statement:
“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. I have decided, as… pic.twitter.com/oI23TFRPun— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) October 17, 2025
