London – Since Friday evening, 7 p.m. local time, Prince Andrew has been deposed! The troubled prince of the British royal family announced in a statement that he is renouncing his titles and will no longer call himself Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, or Baron Killyleagh. King Charles and Prince William are said to have finally turned off Andrew's power after years of scandal!
"After discussions with the King" and "with His Majesty's approval," reads Andrew's public statement. It also includes the phrase"I have decided"—all words that make it seem as if Andrew resigned of his own volition. But the truth is quite different!
Power struggle behind the scenes
A real battle has reportedly been raging behind the palace walls in recent days, reports the Sun. All week, there have been heated negotiations over Andrew's future, led by the king.
Charles is said to have exerted considerable pressure on his brother Andrew."He was told all options were on the table and he should choose the honorable path. Something had to be done!" a palace insider told the British newspaper. Heir to the throne, Prince William, also played a vital role in finally removing Andrew from the royal fold. William is"pleased" with the current outcome.
14-year-old email was the last straw
The revocation of his titles follows a series of revelations surrounding Prince Andrew and his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein († 66) – and the immense public pressure on the British royals.
In her posthumously published memoirs, Virginia Giuffre († 41) recently accused the prince of sexually abusing her three times when she was 17. Andrew was"arrogant" and convinced that sex with her was his birthright.
In addition, a few days ago, an email from 2011 surfaced in which Andrew wrote to his friend Epstein:"Don't worry about me! It seems we're in this together and we have to get through it. Otherwise, we'll stay in close contact and play together again soon!!!!" Andrew had claimed in an earlier interview that he had already broken off contact with Epstein in 2010.
Andrew signed this saucy email with his royal title and address:"HRH Duke of York, KG" ("His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Knight of the Garter"). Too much for Charles! According to The Sun, the king was"glad" that his brother had "stepped down." The scandals surrounding Andrew had increasingly become an "unwelcome distraction."
Andrew's titles were already withdrawn in 2022
Not only will Andrew no longer use all of his titles, he will also relinquish his membership in the prestigious Order of the Garter. He was already required to relinquish his military titles and patronages in 2022. Furthermore, Charles' brother will be barred from all future royal events. It has already been confirmed that Andrew will not be invited to this year's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
According to the Daily Mail, the prince's titles are suspended—they essentially remain"existing but inactive." Andrew put it this way in his letter of disbarment: "I will no longer use my titles and honors."
Andrew lives in Windsor – but for how long?
What Andrew still officially retains is his title "Prince"—his birthright, according to the law. And his Royal Lodge—30 rooms in Windsor. Andrew has a"tough" lease until 2078. But this, too, could now be taken away from him. King Charles and Prince William are said to be working to force him out.
And he's dragging his entire family into it: Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (66) will also no longer use her title"Duchess of York." Their daughters, Beatrice (37) and Eugenie (35), will remain princesses—this, too, is due to their birthright.
