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Prince Andrew has announced he will no longer use his royal titles or honours after a discussion with his brother, King Charles.
The 65-year-old shared a statement following mounting public pressure over his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to an alleged Chinese spy.
“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,” Prince Andrew wrote in the statement.
“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.”
Since 2022, Prince Andrew hasn’t used his title of His Royal Highness or HRH in any official capacity. That same year, the Queen also stripped her son of his military titles and patronages.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further,” Prince Andrew continued in the new statement.
“I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.”
This means Prince Andrew will no longer be called the Duke of York; a title he was given after his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. He has also given up the titles of Earl of Inverness and Baron of Killyleagh, and has given up membership of the Order of the Garter. His ex-wife, will lose her Duchess of York title, however their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie will retain their princess titles.