Prince Andrew shared a statement on Friday stating that he will relinquish his remaining royal titles and honours, with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, also no longer to be known as the Duchess of York. As well as their York titles, the couple, who officially divorced in 1996, have lost other lesser-known titles amid the latest crisis to hit the family.
The decision over his title came after his association with convicted paedophile sex offender Jeffrey Epstein returned to the headlines, as well as his association with an alleged Chinese spy. Sarah also recently come under fire following new revelations about an email that she had sent to Epstein in 2011 – after his release from jail following child sex offences.
The former couple will also lose their titles as the Earl and Countess of Inverness and Baron and Baroness Killyleagh.
Speaking of the Baron Killyleagh title, Jim Lindsay, who is chairman of Killyleagh Development Association, said that he “probably should have given up the title Baron Killyleagh a long time ago”.
Andrew was previously given the title by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on his wedding day to Sarah in 1986.
Andrew’s statement read: “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.
“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.”
He 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 honours which have been conferred upon me.”
Noting the claims made against his by the late Virginia Giuffre, he added: “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
At present, Prince Andrew and Sarah are still set to remain at Royal Lodge amid the latest scandal and decision regarding their titles.
