Prince Andrew announced that he is giving up his Duke of York title, effective immediately.The royal has held the prestigious title for nearly 40 years.Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is also reportedly being stripped of her title.
Amid news that Prince Andrew will give up his Duke of York title, royals fans are now wondering what this change will mean for his two adult children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The disgraced royal made the announcement on Friday, October 17, after new allegations surfaced about his relationship with Jeffery Epstein.
“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 said, per People. “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.”
Prince Andrew and King Charles at the funeral for Katharine, Duchess of Kent.
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“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,” the statement continued. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Per Hello, Beatrice and Eugenie will not be affected. They are currently ninth and 12th in line to the throne, respectively.
Prince Andrew with his daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice at Trooping the Colour in 2013.
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Prince Andrew has held the title Duke of York for nearly 40 years. It was conferred on him by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, at his 1986 wedding to Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. The former couple divorced in 1996; Ferguson is also reportedly being stripped of her title.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew at the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent.
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Before this decision, Andrew had already been cut off financially, stripped of his military titles and royal patronages, and banned from using his HRH (His Royal Highness) honorific. He will remain a prince, as is his birthright, and is eighth in line to the British throne.