Prince Andrew's name and image are no longer on the website of Pitch@Palace, the initiative he founded to help entrepreneurs. The not-for-profit company stated that it is going to refresh its brand this year as it further cuts its ties to the controversial royal.
According to Daily Mail, three of Pitch@Palace's directors resigned at the height of Prince Andrew's backlash over his BBC interview about his friendship with the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Supporters of Pitch@Palace also turned their backs on the initiative whilst its staff has effectively moved out of its office at Buckingham Palace.
Before the website revamp, Pitch@Palace proudly displayed that it was founded by the Duke of York as a "platform to amplify and accelerate the work of entrepreneurs." However, the main message on the homepage now indicated that it is going through a few changes to "refresh the brand."
Amid Prince Andrew's controversy, however, Pitch@Palace continues to operate globally. According to BBC, it's not clear if the Duke of York will still have a role in the rebranding or the initiative in the future.
Prince Andrew announced in November that he will be stepping back from his royal role. Apparently, his controversial interview became such a major disruption for the royals.
In that interview, the Duke of York said that he has no regrets over his friendship with Epstein, who was convicted in the U.S. for prostituting underage girls in 2008. Prince Andrew, however, said that he was sorry he still visited his friend at his home in Florida when he got out of prison in 2010.
An accuser also came forward to say that she was trafficked by Epstein from London to have forced sexual relations with Prince Andrew. Virginia Roberts was 17 years old at that time but the Duke of York said he doesn't recall ever meeting her.
Prosecutors in the Epstein case in the U.S. might subpoena the royal to shed light on what he knows about his friend's activities. Buckingham Palace would not comment on the matter as it is in the hands of Prince Andrew's legal team.
Since the scandal broke in late 2019, Prince Andrew has been avoiding public engagements, including royal family events. However, he is expected to be in the media eye once more when he walks his daughter, Princess Beatrice, down the aisle. Her wedding will be held at St. James in May 29 with a reception to follow at Buckingham.
