Prince Andrew, the elder brother of King Charles III, has officially announced that he will no longer use any of his royal titles or honors — a decision made “with the King’s agreement” after ongoing scrutiny over past allegations.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, October 17, the Duke of York said:
“After discussions with His Majesty and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded that the continuing allegations directed at me risk distracting from the work of the King and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to place duty to my family and country above all else. I reaffirm my decision, made five years ago, to step back from public life. With the King’s consent, I will no longer use the titles or honors that were conferred upon me. As I’ve stated before, I firmly deny the allegations against me.”

According to PEOPLE, Andrew’s former wife Sarah Ferguson will also stop using the title “Duchess of York” in all aspects of her life. The former couple will continue living at their Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, under a private lease agreement with the Crown Estate.

While the Duke technically retains his title, any official removal would require an act of Parliament. The couple’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unaffected by this decision.

Prince Andrew, 65, was born a prince and granted the title Duke of York upon his 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson. The title, traditionally given to the monarch’s second son, has been part of royal history since 1474.

This announcement comes amid renewed public discussion of Andrew’s past association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew withdrew from royal duties in 2019 following a BBC interview about his connection with Epstein, and in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II removed his military titles and patronages after a civil case settlement.

Despite keeping a low profile, Andrew has occasionally joined family gatherings, including the funerals of senior royals. However, sources told The Sunday Times that he and Sarah may not attend the royal family’s Christmas celebrations this year.

A source close to the King said: “You can’t remove someone from being your brother, but it’s important that dignity is maintained for everyone involved. The King simply wishes for a peaceful family celebration without added difficulties.”

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie recently told Sky News: “What troubles him most is the loss of his royal identity — not wearing the uniform, not taking part in official life. That sense of belonging was central to who he is.”

As Prince Andrew continues to live privately, this decision marks another step in redefining his place within the modern monarchy.