Prince Andrew’s choice to surrender his royal title has drawn comparisons to Prince Harry’s royal stepback — but will Andrew also lose his protection detail?
“Even though he, like Harry, is no longer a working royal, it appears that he will continue to receive royal protection,” royal expert Christopher Andersen exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, October 17, following Andrew’s decision to forgo his Duke of York title amid continued controversy surrounding his past association with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
The Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan author pointed out that Andrew, 65, “lives on the grounds of Windsor Great Park, not far from the rest of the family, so it goes with the territory.”
Harry, meanwhile, resides in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, and no longer has state-funded security within the U.K.
Prince Andrew Gives Up Royal Title Amid Jeffrey Epstein Scandal
Us Weekly has reached out to Buckingham Palace and Andrew’s attorney for comment.
Andrew announced his step back from royal duties in November 2019 after his past connection to Epstein made headlines. That same year, King Charles III’s brother was accused by the late Virginia Giuffre of sexual assault, which she said transpired at one of Epstein’s homes years prior. (Andrew denied the allegations and later settled a sexual abuse case with Giuffre out of court prior to her death in April.)
At the time, Charlies, 76, and Andrew’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was on the throne and approved of Andrew’s decision to retreat from public life.
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstance relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support,” Andrew said in a statement in 2019. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
Six years later, Andrew’s connection and friendship with Epstein was brought back into the spotlight after an alleged email exchange between them resurfaced. Shortly after the emails made headlines, the royal announced he would no longer hold the Duke of York title.
Is Prince Andrew Still a Working Royal? Where He Stands With the Family
“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,” Andrew said in a statement to Us on Friday. “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: “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Harry, meanwhile, stepped back from his senior royal duties in 2020 before moving from England to the United States.
After relocating, Harry’s grandmother Elizabeth — who was queen until her death in September 2022 at age 96 — fought to retain his and Meghan’s state-funded official security. However, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee ruled to terminate the protection due to the couple’s status as non-working royals.
Harry, 41, applied for judicial review of the case in January 2022 in hopes to reinstate protection whenever he and his family were in the U.K. The high courts ruled against him in 2024 and Harry proceeded to appeal the decision earlier this year.
Will Princess Eugenie and Beatrice Lose Titles After Dad Andrew Gives Up His?
In April, Harry lost his appeal in the ongoing battle to reinstate the government-funded security when in his home country.
“The U.K. is my birthplace and will always be a part of who I am. It is a place I love, and the country where my son was born,” Harry said in a statement following the loss. “I’ve only ever wanted to continue my charitable work in supporting the causes and people that mean so much to me, and for my children to know the beauty of my homeland.”
The prince concluded: “I remain committed to a life of public service. This has been and will always be, my life’s work, and when you strip away the noise, you’ll be able to hear, all I’ve been asking for is safety.”
