Prince Andrew dramatically announced today that he will be giving up his royal titles, including the Duke of York.
The decision is understood to have been made in close consultation with King Charles and other members of the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew, whose ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also no longer use her Duchess of York title, said continued accusations against him were distracting from the King’s work.
He had been accused by Virginia Giuffre, who died in April, of sexually assaulting her. He denies this.
Prince Andrew had also been hit by new reports of his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. And a China spy controversy – In December 2024, it emerged that a “close confidant” of Andrew’s was a suspected Chinese spy.
Follow updates: Prince Andrew latest: ‘I must go a step further’
What titles is he giving up?
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Prince Andrew is giving up his Duke of York title. Sky News understands this will be immediate.
He will also give up his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
He will retain the dukedom, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, but will not use it.
Prince Andrew will also remain a prince, having been born the son of Elizabeth II.
What has he been accused of?
Ms Giuffre, who was one of Epstein’s victims, alleged Prince Andrew sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17.
In her posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl, she alleged that Prince Andrew was “entitled” and “believed having sex with me was his birthright”.
Prince Andrew has always denied the allegations.
He has also always claimed that a well-known image of them together had been doctored. Before her death, which her family said was by suicide, the case was settled outside of court for a sum believed to have been around £12m.
Where will he live?
Sky News understands that he will continue to live at the Windsor Estate at the Royal Lodge.
But for the second year running he will not be attending the Royal Family’s annual Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, it is understood.
Will it impact the Princesses?
The decision, which is understood to have left the King feeling glad, will not impact on the position of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, it is also understood.
But Sky News’ royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, explains how it may not stop the influx of negative stories about him.
She said: “This ends the questions on what more the monarch could do to show how the family felt about the accusations, the upset and the embarrassment caused.
“Will it stop the stories, the allegations and the interest in Prince Andrew? That is far less certain. But in what is the Prince’s first public statement since that ill-fated Newsnight interview in 2019, it is striking that he signs it off by saying “I vigorously deny the accusations against me”.
What did Prince Andrew say?
In a statement, Prince Andrew said: “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 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.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. 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.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
