The Yorks have been impacted by the Prince’s loss of titles(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Prince Andrew has lost his royal titles in a decision which will also impact some members of his extended family.
Andrew has been pressured by King Charles III into giving up his titles due to “continued accusations” that have repeatedly made headlines in the UK and beyond in recent months. The decision, which he confirmed this evening, came following “discussion” with the monarch, and will also impact Sarah Ferguson.
Questions in the wake of the decision will have settled upon the couple’s children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, both of whom were born after the couple had their York titles bestowed unto them.
Sarah Ferguson will be known by her birth name, rather than the ‘Duchess of York'(Image: Getty Images)
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While Sarah Ferguson will not retain her Duchess of York title, the York children’s position will remain unchanged. The two were made Princesses on birth as grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and they will continue to keep the birth titles despite the decision announced this evening.
The same logic will also apply to Andrew who, despite having his other titles in “abeyance”, will retain his princely title as an honour bestowed unto him from birth.
In the statement released this evening, Andrew said he and his “immediate and wider family” concluded “continued accusations” meant he had to “go a step further” and relinquish other titles he has accumulated over the years. He 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.
Beatrice and Eugenie will remain Princesses(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
“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.” Andrew was accused of having sex with Virginia Giuffre, a victim of his former friend, convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew was accused of having sex with Ms Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, who claimed she was just 17 at the time. Andrew, who had always denied the allegations, reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022 worth £12million to halt a civil trial with Ms Giuffre taking place in the United States. The settlement did not include an admission of guilt.
The prince said in his now infamous 2019 Newsnight interview that he had cut contact with Epstein in December 2010. But in an email exchange dated February 28 2011, Andrew reportedly told him they would “have to rise above it”.