• Prince Andrew gives up his Duke of York title amid ongoing Epstein scandals.
• His decision comes as Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir is set for release.
• Pressure mounts on the royal family following Andrew's connections to Epstein.
• Calls intensify for him to lose his title of "prince" after new revelations.
• Public opinion largely supports stripping Andrew of royal titles.

On October 17, Prince Andrew announced he would no longer use his title as the Duke of York, a decision rooted in the ongoing scrutiny of his behavior and associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In his statement, Andrew emphasized that “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family,” demonstrating his recognition that his presence has become a liability for the monarchy. Despite his resignation from this title, he continues to “vigorously deny the accusations” against him, according to SCMP and India Times.

This announcement coincides with the upcoming release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, which alleges that she was victimized by Epstein and Prince Andrew when she was 17. The memoir’s excerpts have intensified scrutiny on Andrew, following previous revelations that he maintained correspondence with Epstein despite claiming to have severed ties. New emails disclosed that just days after a famous photo of him with Giuffre emerged, he wrote to Epstein, indicating a continued relationship, as reported by Channel News Asia and LA Times.

As public sentiment shifts against him, polls indicate that a significant majority of Britons support removing Andrew’s remaining royal titles. An Ipsos poll previously noted that only 5% of the public view him favorably. Following the turmoil surrounding his actions, royal experts suggest King Charles III might have pressured Andrew into this resignation, considering his ongoing health struggles and the desire to protect the monarchy’s reputation, according to BBC and LA Times.

Along with relinquishing the Duke of York title, Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also lose her title as Duchess of York, although their daughters will retain their princess titles. The broader implications suggest the royal family is attempting to distance itself from Andrew, amidst calls for more accountability regarding his actions and associations, marking a pivotal moment for the institution amid a changing public mood, as highlighted by SCMP, India Times, and LA Times.