The Daily Populous Saturday October 18th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by news.sky.com and submitted by bendubberley_

The family of Virginia Giuffre has said Prince Andrew's decision to give up his titles, including the Duke of York, is "vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere".

"This is not just a victory for her, but for every single survivor of the horrific crimes perpetrated by [Jeffrey] Epstein and his co-conspirators," they said in a statement.

Andrew will no longer be known as the Duke of York, in a move which finally completes his banishment from royal life. However, he will remain a prince, as the son of Queen Elizabeth II.

His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer use her title of The Duchess of York, it is understood.

In a statement, Prince Andrew said: "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."

Image: Prince Andrew leaves Westminster Abbey following the Coronation of the King in 2023

The decision comes following increased pressure on Prince Andrew after continuing reports of his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

The posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died in April, is due to be released on Tuesday. She had accused Andrew of sexual assault, and sued him in August 2021.

The book will go on sale a week after an email emerged showing Andrew told Epstein "we are in this together", three months after he said he had stopped contact with the convicted sex offender.

Image: Flight logs released by a US committee from Epstein's estate name Prince Andrew. Pic: House Committee on Oversight and Government

On Friday evening, the US House Oversight Committee also released documents from Epstein's estate showing "Prince Andrew" listed as a passenger on the financier's private jet - the so-called Lolita Express - from Luton to Edinburgh in 2006, alongside Ghislaine Maxwell.

He was also listed on another flight to West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.

The flight logs have been reported on for years but the release may have added to pressure.

"The situation has become untenable and intolerable, and this week in particular, the tipping point had been reached," said Sky News royal correspondent Laura Bundock.

What is Prince Andrew giving up? Prince Andrew is giving up his Duke of York title

His knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

His Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham

He had already stopped using his HRH title and and was stripped of military patronages by the Queen in 2022

He will retain his dukedom, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, but will not use it

He will also remain a prince as he was born the son of Elizabeth II

It is understood the changes will take effect immediately, with the Giuffre family calling for the King to go further and "remove the title of Prince".

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:31 'Extreme pressure' on Prince Andrew

The King is glad of the outcome, it is understood, and the decision was taken in close consultation with His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family.

Virginia Giuffre describes alleged encounters with Andrew

Trump says death of Virginia Giuffre is 'a horrible thing'

Andrew will continue to be known as Prince Andrew and will remain living at the Windsor Estate at the Royal Lodge.

The move does not impact the position of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

For the second year running, he is not expected to attend the Royal Family's annual Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.

Image: The King (then Prince of Wales) and Prince Andrew on Christmas Day in 2017.

Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said: "This is quite an extraordinary move. I think it shows that, actually, things had gone too far.

"Prince Andrew, and allegations about him and Virginia Giuffre, were continuing to be too much of a distraction for the Royal Family."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Pressure 'piled on' Prince Andrew

Jack Royston, chief royal correspondent at Newsweek, told Sky News: "This does not go far enough."

There should be an acknowledgement from the Royal Family, he said, "irrespective of whether Prince Andrew denies the substantive allegations against him [that] it was morally wrong for him to grovel to Jeffrey Epstein".

The Guardian's former royal correspondent Stephen Bates also told Sky News: "He's shown no sign of any sort of contrition. He continues to deny all the allegations against him. And he speaks of his duty to the family. Well, it's a bit late to be thinking about that."

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What is Prince Andrew accused of?

Prince Andrew has denied allegations made by Ms Giuffre - one of Epstein's victims - of sexual assault.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 'Next step might be to squeeze Andrew out of royal lodge'

She had filed a civil lawsuit against him, accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions after she was introduced to him by Epstein.

In a 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Andrew said he had no knowledge of ever meeting Ms Giuffre, claiming a well-known image of them together had been doctored.

Image: The 2001 photo of Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts which the royal claimed had been doctored. Pic: Shutterstock

The case was settled outside court for a sum believed to have been around £12m.

Following Ms Giuffre's death in April, aged 41, her family said she "lost her life to suicide" at her farm in Western Australia.

In a statement, the family of Ms Giuffre said they supported Andrew's decision but repeated accusations that he had made misleading statements. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Analysis: Prince Andrew giving up titles was clearly not entirely his decision Rhiannon Mills Royal correspondent @SkyRhiannon It is extraordinary that it has come to this but the distraction had to stop. The statement comes straight from Prince Andrew, the tone of it very personal as he says he is putting his "duty to my family and country first". But this was clearly not entirely his decision. From the first sentence, where he says "in discussion with the King", we're left in no doubt that his brother must have said enough was enough. Read more from Rhiannon here.

"We, the family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, believe that Prince Andrew's decision to give up his titles is vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere.

"This decisive action is a powerful step forward in our fight to bring Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's child sex-trafficking network to justice.

"This moment serves as victory for Virginia, who consistently maintained, 'He knows what happened, I know what happened, and there's only one of us telling the truth, and I know that's me.'

"This is not just a victory for her, but for every single survivor of the horrific crimes perpetrated by Epstein and his co-conspirators."

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

SgtNeilDiamond on October 17th, 2025 at 18:15 UTC »

Sounds like we're about to hear more

DjBiohazard91 on October 17th, 2025 at 18:14 UTC »

When you turn 100, you get a letter from the king. When you turn 13, you get a text from Andrew

theassassintherapist on October 17th, 2025 at 18:07 UTC »

He's still kept one title: pedophile.