Prince Andrew has announced he will no longer use his royal title of the Duke of York or other honours, as renewed scrutiny over his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to cast a shadow over the monarchy.

The 65-year-old royal, the younger brother of King Charles III, was bestowed the prestigious title of Duke of York by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on the morning of his wedding to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. The Queen held a deep personal attachment to the title, which was once borne by her father, King George VI, before he ascended the throne.

In a statement issued on Friday, Andrew said: “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. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Ties to Epstein and Giuffre allegations

Andrew’s decision follows the latest controversy surrounding the publication of excerpts from the upcoming memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. Giuffre had long accused Epstein of trafficking her and claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.

In her posthumous memoir, she reportedly wrote that Andrew acted as if sex with her was his “birthright.” The renewed focus on these allegations has placed immense pressure on the disgraced royal, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

What happens to the Duke of York title?

Although Andrew has stopped using the Duke of York title publicly, he retains the dukedom itself, as it cannot be legally revoked without an Act of Parliament. Under British law, only Parliament has the power to strip a peerage title completely, a process considered too time-consuming and politically unnecessary in royal circles.

While Andrew’s titles and honours have been relinquished, meaning he will not use them, they technically remain in existence. Sources close to the Palace have indicated that introducing legislation to remove the dukedom would likely be viewed as a waste of parliamentary time.

Despite these changes, Andrew continues to hold the title of Prince, which he has possessed since birth in 1960 as the son of a monarch. This status can only be altered if King Charles issues new Letters Patent – an official royal decree.

Impact on Sarah Ferguson and the York family

With Prince Andrew stepping back from using the Duke of York title, his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer use the Duchess of York style. The couple, who divorced in 1996, remain on close terms and continue to share residence at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle.

Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retain their titles as princesses of the blood royal but cannot inherit the Duke of York title, as royal dukedoms traditionally pass through the male line.

Unless Andrew were to have a legitimate male heir – which appears unlikely as he has not remarried since his divorce – the dukedom will revert to the Crown upon his death.

Who could be the next Duke of York?

Under longstanding royal tradition, the Duke of York title is usually granted to the second son of the reigning monarch, provided the title is not already held by another member of the family.

If Andrew were officially stripped of his dukedom by Parliament – which remains hypothetical – King Charles III would have the authority to bestow the title on another royal.

By succession order, Prince Harry, the King’s younger son, would be next in line to inherit it. However, following his and Meghan Markle’s withdrawal from royal duties in 2020 and their strained relationship with the monarchy, this is considered highly improbable.

Attention has therefore turned to Prince Louis, the seven-year-old son of Prince William and Princess Catherine. As the second son of the heir apparent, Louis fits the traditional criteria to become the next Duke of York. However, royal observers suggest King Charles might delay any such decision until the young prince is older.

(With inputs from AP)