UK Prince Andrew Steps Down from Titles Amid Epstein Scandal
Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III, has officially relinquished his remaining royal titles following the release of new allegations from the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network. Giuffre’s book, titled “Nobody’s Girl,” claims that Andrew viewed his sexual relationship with her as a birthright, reigniting widespread public scrutiny over his past association with Epstein. The decision comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the scandal that has deeply impacted the British monarchy.
Epstein, who was arrested in 2,019 for sex trafficking minors, died in jail later that year, with officials citing suicide as the cause of death. Giuffre, who survived Epstein’s trafficking ring, faced a 2021 sexual abuse lawsuit against Andrew, who denied the allegations. The case was settled out of court in 2022, but the release of Giuffre’s memoir has brought new attention to the matter.
A statement from Buckingham Palace revealed that Andrew, who had already stepped back from formal royal duties after the initial scandal, decided to relinquish his titles to focus on his family and country. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first,” Andrew stated, reiterating his denial of the accusations. The prince will not longer use his titles, including Duke of York, his knighthood, and his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. However, he will remain a prince, and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles.
Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, expressed mixed feelings after the announcement, stating that his late sister would be proud that the decision “vindicates” her efforts to expose Epstein and Andrew’s crimes. The ongoing scrutiny has intensified for the royal family, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of such high-profile cases.