The announced Friday that he will give up using his royal title, the Duke of York, and other honors.
The move comes as fresh scrutiny is placed on his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
What did Prince Andrew say?
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew said he and the royal family had agreed the decision because “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.”
“I will therefore no longer use the title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” the 65-year-old said. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
The announcement comes as excerpts circulate from the upcoming posthumous memoir of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17 — .
Andrew stepped down from public life in 2019 amid widespread backlash over his and a disastrous television interview in which he attempted to defend himself.
Royal aides said Friday’s move was intended to draw a line under the controversy and preserve the monarchy’s focus on official duties under King Charles III.
Edited by: Karl Sexton
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