Prince Andrew, 65, said on Friday that he will give up his title of Duke of York. This was another shocking turn in a royal career that has been marred by scandal and public criticism. After years of criticism for his ties to the late American businessman and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he made the decision.
Virginia Giuffre’s claims that Andrew sexually abused her as a teenager at houses associated to Epstein have permanently damaged his reputation. He was formerly seen as a dashing naval officer and was said to be Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite son. Andrew negotiated an undisclosed cash settlement in a U.S. civil case launched by Giuffre in February 2022. He did not admit to any wrongdoing.
Without Royal Duties or Titles
Andrew had already lost his military ties, royal patronages, and the title “His Royal Highness” when he left royal life. The action came after a terrible BBC interview in which he tried to explain himself but was widely mocked for his statements, which included that he couldn’t sweat and was at a pizza restaurant the night of the alleged incident.
He told the BBC, “I’ve never really been to a party.” “I was single for a long time in the early 1980s, but after I got married, I was very happy and never really wanted to go out and party.” Going to Jeffrey’s was definitely not about having fun.
The interview went horribly wrong, and as a result, he was suspended from royal duties and cut off from public life. It is said that his relatives, particularly King Charles, saw him as a threat to the kingdom. But Queen Elizabeth II seemed to still care about him, since she let him go with her to a memorial service for Prince Philip in 2022.
A Royal Who Has Fallen
After then, Andrew mostly only went to big family events like the funerals of Queen Elizabeth in 2022 and King Charles in 2023.
Andrew served in the Royal Navy for 22 years, even going to war in the Falklands. In 2001, he became the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. He kept this position until 2011, when he had to retire because of his ties to Epstein.
Family and Marriage
In 1986, Andrew married Sarah Ferguson, also known as “Fergie,” in a royal wedding that was heavily covered in the news. The couple split up in 1992 because the media was paying more attention to them, and their divorce was complete in 1996. Even though they broke up, they stayed close friends and sometimes went on vacation together or lived together. They have two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have been there for their father in private.
From “Air Miles Andy” to Public Shame
The tabloids called him “Air Miles Andy” when he left the military because he traveled a lot. He was often seen at private events, on yachts, and with famous people and models. But his long association with Epstein, who was found guilty of sexually abusing children in 2008, was what brought him down.
Virginia Giuffre made her accusations in 2015, and public opinion quickly turned against him. Andrew’s critics said he was arrogant and entitled, and former aides said he was short-tempered and demanding. One even said he would throw tantrums if the teddy bears on his bed were moved.
The Last Blow
Andrew started Pitch@Palace, a platform to connect startups with investors, in an effort to improve his reputation. However, the Epstein controversy quickly took over the news. His awful BBC interview in 2019 sealed his downfall.
People made fun of him a lot for saying he couldn’t have been at the nightclub Giuffre described because he was with his daughter at Pizza Express in Woking, and for saying a medical problem kept him from sweating. He also got a lot of flak for not showing empathy for Epstein’s victims.
Andrew added in a later statement, “I still fully regret my poor decision to associate with Jeffrey Epstein,” as he resigned down from his official royal duties.
But the apology was too late. Prince Andrew’s royal odyssey seems to have come to a quiet and embarrassing conclusion with the loss of his title. His legacy will not be one of service, but of scandal.