The decision to stop using their titles was made after consultation with the British King Charles III.
“In discussions with the King, as well as with my immediate family, we have come to the conclusion that the ongoing allegations against me are a distraction to His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as always, to put my duty to my family and country first. I remain committed to my decision five years ago to step back from public life,” Prince Andrew said. “With His Majesty's consent, we believe that I must do one more step. Therefore, I will no longer use my title and the honors bestowed upon me.”
Prince Andrew stressed that he “strongly denies the charges brought against me.”
What to call him now
The Guardian writes that formally, the younger brother of Charles III will retain the ducal title, which can only be deprived by an act of parliament, but will not use it. He will also renounce his knighthood Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
He would only have the title of Prince, since he was born the Queen's son. Prince Andrew's ex-wife, the Duchess of York, will also not use her title and will simply go by Sarah Ferguson. The titles of their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will remain unchanged.
Context
Prince Andrew, Duke of York – British prince, vice admiral. He is the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
In 2010, Prince Andrew was photographed with Epstein in New York's Central Park. At that time, Epstein had already been convicted in a case of involving minors in prostitution.
In addition, according to media reports, the British prince visited the financier's house in Manhattan. In 2015, Prince Andrew was named in court documents in the US civil case against Epstein.
On August 10, 2019, it became known that Epstein committed suicide in prison in Lower Manhattan.
In November 2019, Elizabeth II Prince Andrew was removed from his duties as a member of the royal family due to a sex scandal.
