In his statement on Friday, Andrew said the continuing accusations had made it impossible for him to retain his titles, writing: “The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Meanwhile, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has also faced renewed scrutiny after reports suggested she had accepted money from Epstein over a 15-year period.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams described this as a “deeply painful” moment for Beatrice and Eugenie, who now find themselves navigating intense public attention surrounding both their parents. It is also said to be a major setback for the princesses, who had reportedly hoped to take on more prominent roles within the royal family.