Prince Andrew is again facing mounting public criticism after a YouGov poll found that 67% of Britons support removing all his remaining royal titles, leaving him with no formal status in the monarchy. The survey, conducted last week, showed only 13% opposed the idea and 20% were unsure, underscoring the depth of disapproval toward the Duke of York.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, whose new book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York details the duke's controversial dealings, said, "It remains a mystery how Prince Andrew has been able to enjoy such an extravagant lifestyle." His biography portrays the King's brother as a man who leveraged royal connections for personal gain, courted wealthy benefactors, and engaged in questionable financial arrangements.
The 448-page book, published Thursday by HarperCollins, is based on four years of research and more than 100 interviews, many from individuals who had not spoken publicly before. It recounts episodes such as a four-day trip to Tunisia funded by Tarek Kaituni, a convicted Libyan gun smuggler, and the 2007 sale of Andrew's Sunninghill Park estate to Kazakh billionaire Timur Kulibayev for $6 million above the asking price.
Lownie also asserts that Andrew was "played" by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, serving as "a useful idiot" who gave Epstein respectability and access to political leaders and lucrative opportunities. The biography further alleges Andrew treated palace staff with arrogance, often reducing them to tears.
Andrew's public standing has been damaged since his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview about his Epstein ties. He returned his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 after failing to dismiss a U.S. civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged he sexually abused her when she was 17. Andrew denied the claims but later settled for an undisclosed sum.
NBC royal contributor Daisy McAndrew noted that Andrew's reputation is already at "rock bottom," suggesting further revelations may have limited impact. Still, the new polling reinforces his status as the least popular royal, with just 5% of respondents holding a favorable view.
In December 2024, Britain's High Court linked Andrew to an alleged spying case involving Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo, who had been barred from the U.K. on national security grounds. The court ruled Andrew was "prepared to enter into business activities" with Tengbo, further fueling scrutiny.
While public sentiment is shifting toward decisive action, Buckingham Palace has so far shown no indication of moving to revoke Andrew's remaining titles. McAndrew suggested King Charles may be reluctant to act, but Prince William, when he ascends the throne, could take a harder line. "He's much less sentimental as a personality," she said, noting that the monarchy's survival depends on protecting its reputation.
