The King reportedly issued a formal threat to Prince Andrew regarding the stripping of his titles after he initially resisted giving them up. Prince Andrew eventually announced his decision to relinquish the Duke of York title and other honors amidst the escalating scandal surrounding his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
In response to new allegations of Prince Andrew attempting to discredit his accuser, Prince Charles and Prince William took steps to distance him further from the royal family. The Metropolitan Police are investigating claims that the disgraced royal instructed a security officer to gather damaging information on Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew of misconduct related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite Andrew’s consistent denial of the allegations, concerns remain about potential revelations in her upcoming memoir set to be released soon.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, the King warned Andrew of further consequences if he failed to comply before he ultimately decided to renounce his titles. Andrew’s resistance to the decision was described as untenable for the monarch.
Last week, Andrew was summoned by the King to account for the emergence of additional impropriety allegations years after his controversial BBC Newsnight interview. Sources suggest that Charles and Prince William were angered when Andrew became entangled in a Chinese espionage case affecting the government.
A royal insider revealed that Andrew was pressed about potential revelations from his association with Epstein but could not provide assurances. The ongoing scandal prompted the King to intervene and effectively remove him from royal duties.
Andrew will no longer hold the title of Duke of York and will step down from the Order of the Garter, an ancient chivalric order. Prince William reportedly supported a firm stance against his uncle, advocating for his exclusion from future royal engagements, including his coronation.
Andrew, born a prince in 1960, had his title changed only through a legal document authorized by the monarch. He is also accused of insisting on a gag order from Giuffre to protect the late Queen’s reputation.
The fallout from Andrew’s Newsnight interview fueled legal actions against him, potentially involving his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Andrew, residing in the Royal Lodge mansion, stated that he relinquished his titles to avoid overshadowing the monarchy’s work.
In recent years, Andrew has faced multiple scandals, including a settlement with Giuffre in 2022 over a civil lawsuit.