After years of controversy, and another bruising week of public scandal, Prince Andrew has agreed to give up the last of his royal titles.
The decision reportedly came after firm discussions with King Charles, marking a decisive end to the Duke’s long and troubled chapter within the monarchy.
A Difficult Decision After Years of Scandal
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew will be relinquishing all remaining honours, including his title as Duke of York, his Order of the Garter membership—one of the oldest and most prestigious orders of chivalry—and his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, a title once granted to him by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Despite this sweeping change, Andrew will remain a Prince, as that title was granted by birth under royal letters patent.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, who continues to live with him at their 30-room Royal Lodge home in Windsor, will now officially be known simply as Sarah Ferguson.
Andrew’s Statement: “I Put My Duty to Family and Country First”
In a formal statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew continued to deny all allegations against him but admitted that the ongoing controversies have become a distraction.
He said, “After discussions with The King and my family, we have agreed that the continued accusations against me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
I have always put duty first, and I stand by my decision to step back from public life.
With His Majesty’s agreement, I will now go a step further and no longer use my titles or the honours conferred upon me.”
He added that he “vigorously denies” the allegations but feels it’s time to protect the family’s reputation.
Relief and Resentment Inside the Palace
According to palace insiders, there was a sense of relief that Andrew had finally “fallen on his sword.”
But there was also frustration that yet another scandal surrounding the disgraced royal had forced the monarchy into damage control.
The latest revelations only deepened the turmoil. A Mail on Sunday investigation exposed that Andrew had lied when he claimed his final meeting with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 was to end their friendship.
Instead, emails showed that just weeks later, Andrew reached out to Epstein again—reassuring him they were “in this together” and closing with the chilling sign-off, “We’ll play some more soon!!!”
The message, signed “A, HRH The Duke of York, KG,” confirmed that the prince’s contact with Epstein continued long after he publicly claimed otherwise.
A String of Damaging Revelations
The email scandal came on the heels of yet another embarrassment: revelations that Andrew had once invited a senior Chinese official, now at the centre of an alleged Beijing spy case, to Buckingham Palace for lunch in 2018.
Coupled with the recent release of Virginia Giuffre’s autobiography, which reignited public discussion about the Epstein affair, the timing could not have been worse.
These incidents prompted urgent crisis talks at Buckingham Palace between senior members of the Royal Family and advisers.
What the King Decided — and What Remains the Same
While King Charles is said to have played a key role in encouraging his brother’s decision, he reportedly acknowledged that he cannot legally evict Andrew from Royal Lodge.
The Duke holds a private tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate, which remains “unaffected” by the decision about his titles.
The changes take effect immediately. Palace officials described them as necessary to prevent Andrew’s personal issues from being an “unwelcome distraction” from the work of the rest of the Royal Family.
The decision was made after consultation with senior royals, including the King, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
King Charles is said to be “glad” the matter has finally been resolved.
What It Means for Sarah Ferguson and the Princesses
Sarah Ferguson has long used her maiden name professionally, and sources say she will now use it exclusively.
Meanwhile, Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will not be affected by their father’s decision.
Their titles and positions within the Royal Family remain intact.
Andrew’s title as Duke of York will now be considered “in abeyance,” and his HRH status remains inactive, as it has been since 2022.
No Return to Royal Duties
Buckingham Palace also clarified that Andrew’s role as a Counsellor of State—a position that allows royals to act on behalf of the monarch in specific situations—is “inactive.”
Officials previously confirmed in Parliament that non-working members of the Royal Family would not be called to serve in that capacity.
As first revealed by the Mail, Andrew also remains banned from joining the family at Sandringham for Christmas, although his daughters are still welcome.
The End of a Title He Once Cherished
Perhaps the hardest blow for Andrew is losing his Order of the Garter membership.
Founded by Edward III in 1348, it’s Britain’s most prestigious order of chivalry and one he reportedly held in deep personal esteem.
While the monarch has the power to revoke such honours, sources suggested King Charles preferred that Andrew relinquish them voluntarily, rather than face the humiliation of being stripped.
The last notable figure to be removed from the order was Emperor Hirohito of Japan, after his country entered World War II in 1941.
A Painful But Necessary Chapter for the Royal Family
With this latest move, Buckingham Palace hopes to finally draw a line under one of the most damaging sagas in modern royal history.
But for Prince Andrew, the road back to public respect—or even quiet acceptance—remains steep.
Even without his titles, he will always remain Prince Andrew, the son of Queen Elizabeth II.
Yet for the Royal Family, this decision marks a long-awaited step toward protecting the institution from further embarrassment.