Amid years of scandal and suspicion regarding his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a prominent member of the British royal family has just been forced to take what is surely a most regrettable step.
As Breitbart reports, Prince Andrew, son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and brother of King Charles, has announced that he will cease use of his royal titles and honors conferred upon him, including that of the Duke of York, in the culmination of a staggering fall from grace.
In what some believe is his anticipation of new, damning revelations about his past ties to Epstein by way of a posthumous memoir from alleged victim Virginia Giuffre, Andrew issued a statement last week informing the public of what he characterized as his decision regarding his titles and honors.
“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,” the announcement began.
The statement continued, “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.”
Andrew added, “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me.”
The royal concluded with a defiant note, declaring, “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Giuffre’s upcoming book contains salacious allegations regarding her interactions with Andrew facilitated by Epstein, details that contradict the prince’s prior public denials, and suggest a far closer relationship than previously acknowledged.
According to NBC News, Andrew’s woes continue to mount, as Metropolitan Police in London are said to be “actively looking into” reports that the prince attempted to wrongfully obtain personal information about Giuffre in a bid to discredit her.
The Mail on Sunday was reportedly informed that Andrew sought assistance from his own police protection officer in probing Giuffre’s background, doing so in advance of the publication of an infamous photo showing him with his arm around the then-17-year-old girl, with Epstein confidante Ghislaine Maxwell also seen in the shot.
“We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made,” a police spokesperson stated.
This and other revelations rumored to be imminent appear to have been the final straw regarding Andrew’s status, with the BBC reporting that the royal was under “enormous pressure” from his brother, King Charles, as well as the future king, Prince William, to abandon his titles.
Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, with whom he continues to reside, will no longer be known as the Duchess of York, though their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their royal titles, as the New York Post explains.
For now, the disgraced pair will be permitted to remain in their home at Royal Lodge, which is subject to a long-term lease with the Crown Estate, though there have long been rumblings that King Charles – and perhaps also Prince William – would like to end that arrangement as well.
