Prince William is preparing to draw a harder line on Prince Andrew's participation in royal life after the Duke of York said he will "no longer use my title," according to accounts from people briefed on palace deliberations. The move comes as King Charles seeks to prevent renewed scandal from engulfing key engagements, even as courtiers acknowledge the episode will remain a persistent distraction.
Buckingham Palace released a statement under Andrew's name on Friday citing the family's concerns. "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," the statement read. "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 honors which have been conferred upon me," the message added. "As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me." The statement followed years of fallout from Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre, whom Andrew has long denied meeting.
Senior figures say the announcement does not end the matter. Insiders told reporters that William views his uncle as a reputational risk and intends to exclude Andrew from public and private royal events, including a future coronation, and to bar him from most state occasions. Kensington Palace declined to comment.
The King's approach, people familiar with the discussions say, aimed to draw a line without triggering an Act of Parliament to strip peerages. "A clear line has been drawn so hopefully we can move on," said a source close to Charles. Others in royal circles were blunter: "It has clouded everything," another source said. "It's really important that people see the work of the wider family, but at the moment, this is still a huge distraction. The King is about to do one of his most important state visits to the Holy See, but it comes against this backdrop and it's very difficult for him."
Andrew's public standing never recovered from his 2019 BBC Newsnight appearance, in which he described himself as "too honourable" to end his friendship with Epstein by telephone. He later agreed a civil settlement with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting liability, prompting Queen Elizabeth II to remove his HRH styling and military titles. Comedian Munya Chawawa skewered the latest developments, saying: "A privileged man becomes slightly less privileged."
Questions about judgment extend to Andrew's circle. Sarah Ferguson once told an interviewer she made a "terrible, terrible error of judgment" in taking £15,000 from Epstein and added, "I abhor paedophilia." It later emerged she had emailed Epstein calling him her "steadfast, generous and supreme friend." People familiar with William's thinking say he intends to bar Ferguson from royal events as well, while maintaining warm ties with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The drip of disclosures remains a risk. A grim 2011 email, cited in reporting, showed Andrew writing to Epstein that they would "play some more soon," sent the day after the photo of Andrew with Giuffre was published-an image that has come to define the scandal's public resonance. Separately, reports say authorities are examining whether Andrew sought information about Giuffre via a police protection officer; it is unclear whether any request was acted upon.
William has signaled an appetite for institutional reform. In a recent interview, he said the monarchy should be "fit for purpose," adding: "Change is on my agenda. Change for good. I don't fear it." Courtiers interpret that as a marker for firmer guardrails around conduct, swifter discipline, and clearer rules for non-heir "spares."
At a glance - Recent milestones
- 2019: Andrew's Newsnight interview ("too honourable").
- 2022: Civil settlement with Giuffre; Queen strips military titles and patronages.
- 2024-2025: Continued family attendance at limited "family occasions" despite controversy.
- Friday: Statement under royal coat of arms-Andrew will "no longer use my title."
- Next: People briefed say William intends bans from future public and private royal events.
The King's allies argue that the family's day-to-day work continues despite the uproar. "The King, the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Anne, Edward and Sophie are all still fulfilling their roles," a friend of the family said, adding the institution "will remain a central part of British life." Whether Andrew's status is now settled is another matter; those close to William say he believes firmer measures will be needed if headlines persist.
