ROYAL SHAME: DUKE OF YORK TITLE DROPPED

Prince Andrew Steps Further Back, Renounces Use of Duke of York Title – Prince Andrew has taken the dramatic step of announcing he will no longer use his remaining titles and honours, including the Duke of York, effective immediately. The decision, which was made following "discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family," solidifies his complete severance from formal public life and is a clear move by King Charles III to contain a damaging scandal.

In a statement released late on Friday, October 17, 2025, Prince Andrew stated: "We have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family... 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." Andrew reiterated that he continues to "vigorously deny the accusations against me."

What's Happened and What's Going On-The announcement comes at a critical juncture, just before the posthumous release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, titled Nobody's Girl, who had accused Andrew of sexual assault when she was a minor trafficked by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Excerpts published earlier this week contained fresh, highly damaging claims, including the allegation that Andrew viewed having sex with her as his "birthright."

This latest development follows a week of renewed scrutiny after reports emerged of Prince Andrew's continued contact with Epstein even after the scandal broke, contradicting his own 2019 BBC Newsnight interview claims. Furthermore, questions persist over his connection to an alleged Chinese spy, adding to the list of "unwelcome distractions" cited by a royal correspondent.

Andrew had already been stripped of his military titles, royal patronages, and the right to use his 'His Royal Highness' (HRH) style by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022. This new action means he ceases to use all remaining vestiges of his public status, including his long-held Knighthood as a Knight of the Garter and a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). It is understood King Charles is "glad" of the outcome, which signals the firm intention to draw a line under the ongoing saga.

Crucially, while Andrew will no longer use the Duke of York title, he cannot technically be stripped of the dukedom itself without an Act of Parliament. He remains a Prince by birth, which is unaffected. His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also drop the Duchess of York title, though their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, retain their positions. Andrew will continue to reside at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate and will not attend the Royal Family’s annual Christmas gathering at Sandringham for the second year running.

Scandals Deepen Public Apathy Post-Queen-The enduring nature of the Prince Andrew controversy feeds into a broader narrative of declining public interest and support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The Queen’s seven-decade reign provided a continuity and stability that King Charles III is now struggling to maintain amidst such domestic dramas.

Recent polling data underscores this shift: the 2024 British Social Attitudes survey recorded a historic low in support for the monarchy's continued existence, with only 51% of Britons deeming it "very important" or "quite important," a sharp drop from 86% in 1983. More worryingly for the palace, this fall in support is most pronounced among younger generations. For example, YouGov polling has shown that only 30% of 18-24 year olds believe the monarchy is "good for Britain." These successive, embarrassing incidents surrounding Prince Andrew risk confirming for a growing segment of the public that the monarchy is an outdated and troubled institution, making the task of establishing relevance in a post-Elizabethan era increasingly challenging.