Britain’s Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he will give up the use of his title of Duke of York amidst ongoing criticism regarding his behaviour and associations with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has seen his reputation suffer in recent years, primarily due to his connections to Epstein, Reuters reported.
Additionally, revelations have surfaced that one of his close business associates is suspected by the government of being a Chinese spy. In a statement, Andrew said “the continued accusations about me” distracted from the work of his elder brother King Charles and the wider work of the British royal family.“I will therefore no longer use the title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” Andrew added in his statement.This development comes as new excerpts from Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, due for publication on Tuesday, indicate that the sex abuse scandal involving Prince Andrew is ongoing. Momentum to act increased when it was revealed last week that Prince Andrew had lied about severing contact with Epstein.The duke had emailed Epstein 24 hours after a notorious photograph emerged showing him with Virginia Giuffre at Ghislaine Maxwell’s Mayfair residence, where Giuffre later alleged they engaged in sexual relations. In the email, he wrote: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”He signed the message “HRH Duke of York KG,” with KG standing for Knight of the Order of the Garter. This email contradicted his Newsnight interview in which he stated he had cut off contact with Epstein in December 2010.Consequently, there are fears that further revelations may emerge. Virginia Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew of being “entitled” and viewing sexual relations with her as his “birthright” on three separate occasions.
