 "File image- Prince Andrew- Reuters")
Britain’s Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behaviour and connections to the late disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision follows mounting pressure over his past associations with convicted ‘sex offender’ Jeffrey Epstein. Along with returning his titles, the prince will also reportedly step down from membership of the Order of the Garter, reflecting a voluntary move to address growing public and institutional scrutiny.
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 said in a statement.
”As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
With inputs from agencies