Buckingham Palace statement in full as Prince Andrew loses royal title

Prince Andrew has tonight decided to forgo his royal titles and honours following the ongoing Epstein scandals with immediate effect. He will no longer join the Royal Family at Christmas and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer use the Duchess of York title.

Andrew said the decision was taken "in discussion with the King and my immediate and wider family". The Prince of Wales was closely involved in the discussions. The King's younger brother said he continues to "vigorously deny the accusations against me".

He will retain his princely title, as it is his birthright as the son of a former monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are unaffected by the decision made tonight.

He will also give up his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Andrew had already ceased to be a working royal and had lost the use of his HRH title and patronages following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview in November 2019.

The King is understood to be glad with the outcome, which Andrew made himself, but in conjunction with the King.

The latest development in the long-running controversy comes just days before the publication of a memoir by Andrew's late alleged victim, Virginia Giuffre, to whom he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case.

A statement released on Friday night, 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.

"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."